Acoustic prison for single live cell 3D multi-imaging enabled by light-sheet microscopy

Having a system capable of obtaining high resolution, quantitative, subcellular information of individual live cells through imaging, while minimizing cell damage, is of great importance in many fields of research. In recent years, optofluidic light-sheet fluorescent microscopy (LSFM) has emerged as a powerful tool providing a low photo-toxic imaging method utilising the fluidic environment offered by microfluidics. Here, the benefits of LSFM were integrated with an acoustic single cell prison for precise single cell handling and 3D multi-imaging in a semi-automated manner. The compact, monolithic, acousto-optofluidic platform employed standing surface acoustic waves (SSAWs) to sequentially trap an individual cell on either side of an imaging region, which gathered planar, cross-sectional images of the cell. A cytoplasmic stain was utilised to not only visualize the cell trajectory throughout the imaging process, but also to verify the cell viability post-acoustic exposure. A mitochondrial stain was also used to better demonstrate the resolution capabilities of the device. Through post-image processing, 3D volumetric images of the cell were reconstructed and the results between the first and second rounds of imaging were directly comparable. Furthermore, the acoustic prison advantageously positions the cells in the upper region of the channel, enabling the ability to accurately compare temporal changes in cell morphology; a capability that can lead to advancements in therapeutics and drug delivery to access responses of cells to stimuli over time.

Automated summary

Having a system that can capture high-resolution, quantitative, subcellular information of live cells without causing cell damage is crucial in various research fields. Optofluidic light-sheet fluorescent microscopy (LSFM) has emerged as a powerful tool that offers a low photo-toxic imaging method using microfluidics. In this study, LSFM benefits were combined with an acoustic single cell prison to enable precise single cell manipulation and 3D multi-imaging in a semi-automated manner. By trapping individual cells using standing surface acoustic waves (SSAWs), planar and cross-sectional images of the cells were obtained. The results were further processed to reconstruct 3D volumetric images and compare imaging outcomes between rounds.