In Situ Cell Detection Using Terahertz Near-Field Microscopy

The photoconductive antenna microprobe-based terahertz (THz) near-field scanning microscope has proven to overcome the diffraction limit and demonstrated the potential in distinguishing cellular types and states. Here, using the onion epidermal cells as a sample model, detection of single epithelial cell in the onion skin has been realized at amplitude signal around 1 THz. The boundaries of the target cells in a monolayer onion epidermis are clearly depicted with the spatial resolution of 9 mu m (lambda/33). Differentiated THz dielectric response shows clearly the distinctive intracellular and intercellular regions, mainly related to the hiowater distribution and cellular heterogeneity, which can be used for in situ subcellular identification. This finding may have significant implications for the advancement of THz near-field high-resolution bioimaging technology.

Automated summary

The study on the photoconductive antenna microprobe-based terahertz near-field scanning microscope in onion cells has successfully detected single epithelial cells and demonstrated high resolution capabilities in cell boundaries and intracellular regions. The distinct THz dielectric response reveals significant differences between intra- and intercellular regions, which is important for subcellular identification.