Method and apparatus for characterizing biological objects

Abstract

In order to quantitatively characterize biological objects, for example individual cells, a stimulus is applied to a biological object in a contactless fashion. A measurement and a further measurement are performed on the biological object in order to ascertain a response of the biological object to the stimulus, wherein the measurement and the further measurement comprise detecting Raman scattering on and / or in the biological object and / or capturing data using digital holographic microinterferometry (DHMI). The biological object is characterized according to a result of the measurement and is sorted if needed. The stimulus can be applied by means of a laser beam that creates optical tweezers or an optical trap, by means of ultrasonic waves or an electric or magnetic radio frequency field.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for characterizing biological objects, for example individual cells. The invention relates in particular to a method and an apparatus which allow biological objects in a microfluidic system to be characterized in a contactless fashion and to then be sorted.[0003]2. Background Information[0004]Various techniques for observing and manipulating biological objects are known, by means of which the targeted manipulation and observation was made possible for ever smaller objects, for example individual cells. Various techniques for analyzing biological objects use a targeted stimulation of the biological objects. The manipulation of individual cells for measuring their elasticity properties using a scanning force microscope as described in M. Radmacher et al., “Measuring the Viscoelastic Properties of Human Platelets with the Atomic Force Microscope”, Biophys. J. 70, 556 (1996) belon...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method and device for identifying and characterizing biological objects. The invention allows for quick and accurate identification of individual objects using two-dimensional images and information on processes inside the cell. The technical effect is that it provides a simple yet effective way to identify and understand biological objects.

Problems solved by technology

However, such measurements do not provide information on changes in the interior of the biological object.

Techniques in which Raman spectroscopy is performed on biological objects are conventionally limited to only one Raman spectrum being captured for a biological object.

This may impede a characterization in cases in which, for example, different biological objects have similar or identical Raman spectra under the present measurement conditions.

If biological objects are mechanically stimulated one by one, it may be difficult to obtain a sufficient throughput.

However, this may have the effect that the biological object becomes useless for a further analysis, depending on the respective biological object of interest and the substance which is used.

Using conventional methods and apparatuses, an automatic recognition of the desired biological objects is frequently not possible or is possible with great effort only.

When using conventional techniques, such as a laser scanner, a three-dimensional imaging requires a time-consuming scanning of various planes and a subsequent digital combination of the image data.

This impedes a more extensive automation of the characterization of cells.

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