Non-invasive Identification of Cancer Cells by Phase Contrast Measurement

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Non-invasive Identification of Cancer Cells by Phase Contrast Measurement

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Non-invasive Identification of Cancer Cells by Phase Contrast Measurement

Mutsumi Takagi Professor

Non-contact optical measurement for high-precision differentiation between cancer and normal cells in culture

The laser beam irradiated at and transmitted through cultured cells attached to the incubator’s bottom generates phase differences depending on the cell’s refractive index and thickness. In this study, we have shown that it is possible to highly accurately differentiate between normal cells and those that have become cancerous in culture by quantifying the phase difference at each point in the cell.

Content of research

Hoping to contribute to the quality control of cultured cells for transplantation in regenerative medicine, we have sought to establish a non-invasive and highly accurate method to determine the presence of cancerous cells in culture. The special mouse transplantation method, which has conventionally been used to determine the presence or absence of cancerous cells in a cell population, is destructive (invasive) and requires a long time (several weeks or more) to make a judgment. In contrast, this technology can identify cells in culture as quickly as within 10 seconds per field of view, or approximately 10 hours for all cells in a 100 mm dish, by calculating phase difference values that can be quantified non-invasively by simply transmitting laser light through the cells in culture. Since there is no other method to non-invasively determine the presence of cancer cells, which are important to identify for quality control, we are aiming to standardize this method.

Measurement of the phase difference value of each cell part using phase shift laser microscopy
Comparison of the phase difference between normal and cancer cells

Potential for social implementation

・Quality control of regenerative medical products
・Management of the culturing process of cells for transplantation
・Diagnosis of pathological sections
・Primary screening with carcinogenesis tests
・A tool for studying carcinogenic mechanisms

Appealing points to industry and local governments

We hope to conduct joint research with concerned companies to standardize this method as a specification test item in regenerative medicine, or to develop it as a primary screening method for use in contract laboratories handling carcinogenicity and other safety tests and pathological section diagnosis.