Fluorescence lifetime imaging with picosecond resolution for biomedical applications

We describe a novel whole-field fluorescence lifetime imaging system, based on a time-gated image intensifier and a solid-state laser oscillator-amplifier, that images lifetime differences of less than 10 ps. This system was successfully applied to discrimination between biological tissue constituents.     

Wavelength-Resolved 3-Dimensional Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging

We have developed a compact system for wide-field fluorescence imaging, resolved in three spatial dimensions, lifetime and wavelength, that is based on a gated optical intensifier and an all-solid-state diode pumped Cr:LiSAF oscillator-amplifier system. Exploiting spectral separation, the system has been applied to human teeth, obtaining good lifetime contrast between enamel, dentin and caries. Exploiting spectral separation combined with depth resolution, the study of fluorescent microspheres led to an enhancement in both lifetime contrast and lateral resolution.     

Temporally and spectrally resolved sampling imaging with a specially designed streak camera

We present a novel sampling imaging technique capable of performing simultaneous two-dimensional measurements of the temporal and spectral characteristics of light-emission processes by use of a specially designed streak camera. A proof-of-principle experiment was performed with a homemade multifocal multiphoton fluorescence microscope. The system was calibrated with a Fabry-Perot etalon and a standard fluorophore solution (rhodamine 6G in ethanol) and was shown to have temporal and spectral resolution of 6.5 ps and 3 nm, respectively, as well as high accuracy and reproducibility in lifetime and spectrum measurement. Temporally and spectrally resolved images of 4 x 4 foci on the sample can be obtained with a snapshot.     

阿达玛变换光谱显微成像分析乳腺癌组织肿瘤标志物的分布

自行研制的多功能阿达玛变换光谱成像显微系统具有获取微小组织样品的高分辨荧光光谱和荧光图像的能力。由于量子点具有激发区域宽、可以一元激发多元发射、荧光峰形狭窄、亮度高、抗光漂白能力强等特点,非常适合作为荧光标记物应用于光谱显微成像分析领域。采用荧光发射波长为610 nm的量子点荧光探针分别免疫标记乳腺癌标志物人表皮生长因子受体2(HER2) 和雌激素受体(ER),通过激光诱导荧光法和荧光原位光谱成像法分析癌组织中HER2和ER的光谱特征和定量信息,采用阿达玛变换光谱显微成像系统对阳性乳腺癌组织与阴性正常乳腺组织进行对比分析,其结果表明该仪器可有效用于肿瘤标志物在癌组织内的定量研究,是定量检测乳腺癌HER2和ER分布的新技术。该技术建立的针对肿瘤标志物的半定量和定量分析方法,所得结果优于常规的定性分析方法。     

双光子激发时间分辨荧光光谱测量技术

建立了一台基于高重复频率扫描相机的双光子激发时间分辨荧光光谱测量系统，能够同时测量样品的荧光光谱和寿命. 该系统的时间分辨率为6.5—200ps，光谱分辨率为1—3nm，能够实现快速数据采集以及可靠和可重复的寿命和光谱测量. 利用标准荧光染料(若丹明6G、香豆素314)及其混合溶液对该系统进行了测试，所得到的荧光光谱分布和寿命值与文献报道一致. 实验结果表明，该系统能有效区分多组分荧光团. 这为鉴别多荧光团或多组分生物组织提供了一种独特的对比方法，可用于多光谱分辨荧光寿命成像和荧光共振能量转移成像等方面. 关键词： 荧光寿命 荧光光谱 双光子激发 高重复频率扫描相机     

Fluorescence lifetime-enhanced spectral characterization of human serum

Frequency-domain fluorescence lifetime techniques were used for the characterization of pooled human serum, including normal serum, hyperlipid serum, and sera that had been stripped of various components. Fluorescence lifetime measurements of normal human serum revealed lifetime components primarily in the regions of 10² ps, 1–2 ns, 4–7 ns, and 9–10 ns. Phase-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (PRFS), a frequency-domain technique that combines spectral and lifetime information, in measurements of phase-resolved fluorescence intensity (PRFI), provided the basis for comparison of the various sera. Measurements of PRFI vs excitation wavelength and emission wavelength yield a phase-resolved excitation-emission matrix (PREEM) at a given modulation frequency. Multifrequency measurements yield a three-way excitation-emission-frequency array. The multifrequency PREEMs of the various sera were compared with each other and with the corresponding two-way excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) that are obtained using conventional, steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. Application of matrix-based analysis techniques to the steady-state and PRFS data arrays allowed direct comparison between the two approaches. Results demonstrate the enhanced discrimination among samples that is achieved through the additional dimension of fluorescence lifetime in PRFS.     

Improving the precision of fluorescence lifetime measurement using a streak camera

Streak camera has high temporal resolution and high sensitivity, and is a powerful tool in biomedical study to measure fluorescence lifetime and perform fluorescence lifetime imaging. However, nonuniformity of the gain in the streak tube and nonlinearity of the sweeping speed limit the precision of fluorescence lifetime measurement, particularly when fluorescence lifetimes are short. We have constructed a two-photon excitation fluorescence lifetime measurement system that is based on a synchroscan streak camera and have developed accordingly a method to correct the effect of gain nonuniformity and nonlinearity of sweeping speed on the measurement precision. A continuous-wave laser of high stability is used to calibrate the gain of the streak camera, and a Fabry-Perot etalon is used to calibrate the nonlinearity of the sweeping speed. Fitting algorithms are used to correct the gain of the streak camera and nonlinearity of the sweeping speed respectively, which significantly improves the measurement precision of the system, as characterized through the fluorescence lifetime of the short-lived fluorescence dye, Rose Bengal. Experimental results show that the measurement fluctuation of the lifetime has been improved from more than 10% to 2% after correcting the effects of gain nonuniformity and sweeping speed nonlinearity.     

Simultaneous time- and spectrum-resolved multifocal multiphoton microscopy

We present a novel multifocal multiphoton microscope that is based on a sampling imaging technique using a microlens array, a prism for two-dimensionalspectral dispersion, and a specially designed streak camera to provide simultaneous time- and spectrum-resolved fluorescence microscopy. We split the near-infrared light of a mode-locked titanium:sapphire femtosecond laser into an array of beams that are transformed into an array of high-aperture foci at the sample. A time- and spectrum-resolved image of 3×3 foci on the sample can be obtained with a snapshot. By translating the sample stage laterally and axially and implementing a dedicated image reconstruction algorithm in the control system of the instrument, we demonstrate the acquisition of a five-dimensional data set combining lifetime and spectral resolutions in biological fluorescence imaging. PACS 87.64.-t; 87.64.Vv; 42.62.Be     

Two-photon excited hemoglobin fluorescence provides contrast mechanism for label-free imaging of microvasculature in vivo

Direct visualization of microvasculature provides significant insights in microcirculation and critically impacts the diagnosis and treatment of microcirculatory diseases. Recently, we discovered that the high-energy Soret fluorescence of hemoglobin peaked at 438?nm with an extremely short lifetime becomes strongly visible under two-photon excitation. Based on the distinct spectral and temporal characteristics of hemoglobin fluorescence, we demonstrated that two-photon fluorescence microscopy could become a powerful tool for label-free in vivo imaging of microvasculature in tissue.     

Whole-field optically sectioned fluorescence lifetime imaging

We describe a novel three-dimensional fluorescence lifetime imaging microscope that exploits structured illumination to achieve whole-field sectioned fluorescence lifetime images with a spatial resolution of a few micrometers.     

Quantitative analysis of caspase-3 activation by fitting fluorescence emission spectra in living cells

Confocal fluorescence imaging and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technology have been widely used to study protein–protein interactions in living cells. However, it is very difficult to quantitatively analyze FRET efficiency due to the excitation spectral crosstalk and emission spectral crosstalk between donor and acceptor. In this study, we developed a novel method to quantitatively obtain the FRET efficiency by fitting the emission spectra (FES) of donor–acceptor pair, and this method is free from both excitation and emission spectral crosstalk. We used the FES method to quantitatively monitor the FRET efficiency of SCAT3, a caspase-3 indicator based on FRET, inside living cells stably expressing SCAT3 during STS-induced apoptosis. At 0, 6 and 12 h after STS treatment, the FRET efficiency of SCAT3 obtained by FES are consistent with that by two-photon excitation (TPE) fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) in living cells stably expressing SCAT3. In this study, the FES was also used to analyze the caspase-3 activation in living cells during anti-cancer drug such as taxol, Artesunate (ART) or Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) treatment. Our results showed that ART or DHA induced apoptosis by a caspase-3-dependent manner, while caspase-3 was not involved in taxol-induced cell death.     

眼底视网膜色素上皮层细胞脂褐素及氧化黑色素自体荧光寿命成像研究

利用一种基于时间相关单光子计数器的双光子激发荧光寿命显微成像技术,对猪眼底视网膜色素上皮层细胞内的脂褐素和氧化黑色素颗粒的空间分布及其荧光寿命特性进行了研究,尤其对于这些色素颗粒在光致氧化环境中的荧光寿命差异进行了分析.结果表明,利用荧光寿命测量能有效区分视网膜色素上皮层细胞中的多组分荧光团,利用荧光寿命的衰减参数可分辨正常及异常的荧光现象.该方法有望发展成为一种用于眼科临床诊断及病理学研究的高灵敏度的工具,对眼底细胞随年龄增长的衰老机理的研究具有重要的意义. 关键词： 双光子激发荧光 荧光寿命成像 视网膜色素上皮层     

眼底视网膜色素上皮层细胞脂褐素及氧化黑色素自体荧光寿命成像研究

利用一种基于时间相关单光子计数器的双光子激发荧光寿命显微成像技术，对猪眼底视网膜色素上皮层细胞内的脂褐素和氧化黑色素颗粒的空间分布及其荧光寿命特性进行了研究，尤其对于这些色素颗粒在光致氧化环境中的荧光寿命差异进行了分析.结果表明，利用荧光寿命测量能有效区分视网膜色素上皮层细胞中的多组分荧光团，利用荧光寿命的衰减参数可分辨正常及异常的荧光现象.该方法有望发展成为一种用于眼科临床诊断及病理学研究的高灵敏度的工具，对眼底细胞随年龄增长的衰老机理的研究具有重要的意义.     

Frequency-domain fluorescence lifetime imaging for endoscopic clinical cancer photodetection: Apparatus design and preliminary results

We describe a new fluorescence imaging device for clinical cancer photodetection in hollow organs in which the tumor/normal tissue contrast is derived from the fluorescence lifetime of endogenous or exogenous fluorochromes. This fluorescence lifetime contrast gives information about the physicochemical properties of the environment which are different between normal and certain diseased tissues. The excitation light from a CW laser is modulated in amplitude at a radio frequency by an electrooptical modulator and delivered by an optical fiber through an endoscope to the hollow organ. The image of the tissue collected by the endoscope is separated in two spectral windows, one being the backscattered excitation light and the other the fluorescence of the fluorochrome. Each image is then focused on the photocathode of image intensifiers (II) whose optical gain is modulated at the same frequency as the excitation intensity, resulting in homodyne phase-sensitive images. By acquiring stationary phase-sensitive frames at different phases between the excitation and the detection, it is possible to calculate in quasi-real time the apparent fluorescence lifetime of the corresponding tissue region for each pixel. A result obtained by investigating the endogenous fluorochromes present in the mucous membrane of an excised human bladder is presented to illustrate this method and most of the optical parameters which are of major importance for this photodetection modality have been evaluated.     

双光子阵列点激发同时多维荧光信息的处理

五维同时荧光信息显微成像方法是一种新的荧光信息获取技术，它采用了双光子阵列点激发方式.这一方法可同时获取激发阵列点每点荧光的位置信息、荧光光谱信息和荧光寿命信息，弥补了现有荧光检测技术的不同功能信息不具有同时性的缺陷.给出了从这种技术的复合信息中提取复合光谱几何强度结构图像、不同光谱几何强度结构图像、不同光谱寿命图像的方法.提出了一种激发荧光强度修正系数矩阵方法，消除阵列点激发光强不均匀对激发荧光强弱产生的不利影响，取得明显效果.实验对实际样品做了数据采集和处理，给出图像结果，表明处理的效果良好.对存在的问题也作了讨论. 关键词： 荧光信息处理 双光子 荧光光谱 荧光寿命     

Optically sectioned fluorescence lifetime imaging using a Nipkow disk microscope and a tunable ultrafast continuum excitation source

We demonstrate an optically sectioned fluorescence lifetime imaging microscope with a wide-field detector, using a convenient, continuously tunable (435-1150 nm) ultrafast source for fluorescence imaging applications that is derived from a visible supercontinuum generated in a microstructured fiber.     

Light propagation for time-domain fluorescence diffuse optical tomography by convolution using lifetime function

Time-domain light propagation in biological tissue is studied by solving the forward problem for fluorescence diffuse optical tomography using a convolution of the zero-lifetime emission light and the exponential function for a finite lifetime. We firstly formulate the fundamental equations in a time-domain assuming that the fluorescence lifetime is equal to zero, and then the solution including the lifetime is obtained by convolving the emission light and the lifetime function. The model is a two-dimensional (2-D) 10 mm-radius circle with the optical properties simulating biological tissue for the near infrared light, and contains some inclusions with fluorophores. Temporal and spatial profiles of excitation and emission light are calculated and discussed for several models with different inclusions. The results are physically reasonable and will be used for the inverse problem of fluorescence diffuse optical tomography.     

A UV–Visible–NIR fluorescence lifetime imaging microscope for laser-based biological sensing with picosecond resolution

This article describes the design and characterization of a wide-field, time-domain fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) system developed for picosecond time-resolved biological imaging. The system consists of a nitrogen-pumped dye laser for UV–visible–NIR excitation (337.1–960 nm), an epi-illuminated microscope with UV compatible optics, and a time-gated intensified CCD camera with an adjustable gate width (200 ps-10^-3 s) for temporally resolved, single-photon detection of fluorescence decays with 9.6-bit intensity resolution and 1.4-μm spatial resolution. Intensity measurements used for fluorescence decay calculations are reproducible to within 2%, achieved by synchronizing the ICCD gate delay to the excitation laser pulse via a constant fraction optical discriminator and picosecond delay card. A self-consistent FLIM system response model is presented, allowing for fluorescence lifetimes (0.6 ns) significantly smaller than the FLIM system response (1.14 ns) to be determined to 3% of independently determined values. The FLIM system was able to discriminate fluorescence lifetime differences of at least 50 ps. The spectral tunability and large temporal dynamic range of the system are demonstrated by imaging in living human cells: UV-excited endogenous fluorescence from metabolic cofactors (lifetime ∼1.4 ns); and 460-nm excited fluorescence from an exogenous oxygen-quenched ruthenium dye (lifetime ∼400 ns). Received: 23 February 2003 / Published online: 22 May 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +1-734/9361-905, E-mail: mycek@umich.edu     

水中矿物油三维荧光谱的特征提取与光谱重构

基于荧光激发-发射矩阵的奇异值分解方法,提取矿物油三维荧光谱的特征序列并进行光谱重构研究。对数十个水中污染油的三维荧光谱进行了奇异值分解和参数计算,表明奇异值参数具有明显的能量聚拢特性; 在适当截取奇异值特征参数后,将奇异值与相应的伴随特征向量组合构成三维荧光谱泛基因序列,实现了三维光谱反演重构。作为比较典型的示例,给出了水中柴油的原始三维荧光谱和重构三维荧光谱的对照图。重构的三维荧光谱与原始三维荧光谱基本相同。研究表明,矿物油三维荧光谱的奇异值特征谱能够代表三维荧光谱主能量的分布特征,有限的奇异值泛基因序列具有三维光谱反演重构能力。该结论对于水环境中的污染油模式识别以及矿物油荧光信息文库的建设有重要意义。     

荧光高光谱结合特征波长筛选的脐橙表面农药残留快速检测

采用荧光高光谱成像技术对脐橙表面不同浓度毒死蜱和多菌灵进行判别。实验通过由氙灯光源激发的高光谱成像系统(392～998.2 nm)分别采集浓度为0, 0.5, 1, 2mg·kg^-1的毒死蜱和0, 1, 3, 5mg·kg^-1多菌灵的高光谱图像。使用ENVI软件获取样本的感兴趣区域(ROI);对原始光谱数据采用卷积平滑(SG)、标准正态标量变换(SNV)及一阶导数(FD)方法进行预处理;采用区间变量迭代空间收缩法(iVISSA)、无信息变量消除算法(UVE)和竞争性自适应加权算法(CARS)进行一次提取特征波长,二维相关光谱(2D-COS)方法进行二次提取特征波长。最后采用主成分分析与线性判别分析相结合算法(PCA-LDA)和偏最小二乘算法(PLS-DA)建立基于两次提取特征波长脐橙表面不同浓度毒死蜱和多菌灵残留的判别模型。将原始光谱数据与经过预处理的3种光谱数据进行建模分析,结果发现毒死蜱和多菌灵的光谱数据经过SG处理后模型效果最优。对经SG预处理后的毒死蜱光谱数据和多菌灵光谱数据进行特征波长一次提取,最佳特征波长分别为iVISSA法和CA...