Regensburg 2025 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 17: Poster Session II

BP 17.20: Poster

Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 18:00–20:30, P4

Microscopic observation of red blood cell band patterns formed by centrifugation — •Luca Hastenteufel, Thomas John, Felix Maurer, and Christian Wagner — Experimental Physics, Saarland University

Percoll is a common medium composed of coated silica particles. It is widely used as the standard medium for the density separation of cells or subcellular compounds. The centrifugation of red blood cells in Percoll exhibits a heterogeneous structure characterized by discrete bands, however the density gradient is continuous. These band patterns have primarily been analysed using macroscopic images, such as photographs. We developed a microscopic scanning setup to examine these patterns in detail, from single cell level in µm-range up to the full pattern structure at 6 cm. This provides higher-resolution insights compared to traditional imaging methods. Additionally, high dynamic range (HDR) methods using multiple exposure levels lead to a more detailed pattern observation. Understanding these band patterns offers valuable information about red blood cell aggregation energy and the severity of related diseases.

Keywords: density separation; density gradient; microscopic observation; red blood cells