Berlin 2024 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 36: Cell Mechanics II

BP 36.11: Talk

Friday, March 22, 2024, 12:45–13:00, H 0112

Lightmicroscopy of Red Blood Cells — •Agatha Belén Pinto-Pino, Sarah Tabea Hermes, Thomas John, and Christian Wagner — Campus E2.6 66123 Saarbrücken

The observation of cells in liquids under a conventional light microscope is a common practice in research. Because the refractive index within the cells is greater than in the medium, refraction also takes place in addition to absorption. The resulting microscope image is therefore a composition of absorption and refraction as a function of the set focal plane. This is very important for the detection of the cell edges and thus the cell morphology [1]. Using the example of red blood cells, we show how refraction leads to "ghost edges" and compare this with numerical simulations of the light paths. Surprisingly, the optimal focus is not the position with the highest contrast. We give further hints for the optimal observation of red blood cells.

[1] Yoon at. al., Flickering Analysis of Erythrocyte Mechanical Properties, Biophysical Journal 97, 1606, (2009)

Keywords: lightmicroscopy; red blood cells; refraction