Development of a coherently controlled multimodal microscope for enhanced biomedical imaging

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

We propose to develop a new type of optical microscope that will use custom shaped femtosecond pulses for coherent control excitation of fluorophores in the biological samples. The shaping unit will be able to manipulate spectral and spatial profiles of the laser beam, as well as adjust the temporal phasing and polarization of different spectral components of the pulse. The optimized excitation will enhance the efficiency of fluorophore excitation and reduce photobleaching. The femtosecond pulse chirp modulation will enable the optical detection of the pH inside the cells. The pulse shaping will provide the efficient excitation for different non-linear contrast mechanisms based on three and four wave mixing. The coherent control microscope will be built on the basis of already existing state-of-the-art multimodal non-linear laser scanning microscope capable of simultaneously recording third and second harmonic, and multiphoton excitation fluorescence images. The unique instrument will be ideally suited for non-invasive high-resolution imaging of biological tissue and live cells. The new microscope will enable a broad range of innovative interdisciplinary research programs in biomedical imaging, cellular dynamics, bioenergetics and photophysics of photosynthesis. The developed microscope will be accessible to a number of potential users within and outside the University of Toronto, and will help to provide specific training in advanced microscopy for highly qualified personnel.