3D microscope will allow to study cells without destroying them (4 photos + video)

The study of cell structure is one ofpriority tasks of modern biology. However, the old methods of research of living cells are faced with one significant problem - the cell studied under a microscope dies. This problem can be solved by the invention of engineers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), who created a unique microscope that allows you to explore its internal structure without destroying the whole cell structure.

When using ordinary microscopes, scientistsSpecial reagents are introduced into the cell, which impart a specific color to the various structural units of the cell. Unfortunately, these chemicals cause irreversible damage to the cell, leading to its death.

Swiss CX-A 3D Microscopeprovides scientists with a unique opportunity to study the internal structure of the cell down to the smallest structural elements of organelles. The magnetic resonance principle is used in the microscope, which allows to remove the cell structure from different angles and then form a 3D image. The object is illuminated by a laser rotating in different directions, which makes it possible to form a three-dimensional image without destroying the cell.

Examining cells using a CX-A microscopeallows you to explore the object for a long time. A living cell is studied in dynamics for several weeks, while the researcher can set the frequency of fixing the state of the cell, thereby automating laboratory tests. Developers expect that their invention will help in the study of various diseases, including neurodegenerative and neurological.

Source: nanolive.ch