A145 - Label-free imaging of entire organisms using a mobile optical coherence microscopy platform

Robert Prevedel (prevedel@embl.de)

Optical coherence microscopy is a label-free imaging modality that operates similar to ultrasound but based on light. OCM obtains label-free, cross-sectional images of microstructure in biological systems with high optical resolution by measuring the echo time delay of backscattered light. In general, OCM allows 3D imaging with high speed, high resolution and over relatively large (up to 4 mm depending on the magnification factor of the objective lens) field-of-views. These features make it a powerful intravital imaging tool whose contrast can give complementary information to fluorescence imaging. The Prevedel lab has built a spectral domain OCM system based on a spectrometer armed with a high-speed, 250kHz line camera and miniaturised it for direct deployment in the field. In this workshop, we aim to showcase this new, mobile imaging platform that can be utilised for mapping and screening a variety of samples, such as the morphological diversity found in marine organisms (such as sponges, plankton, etc.) but also other sample types such as plants. We will work together with the conference organizers to ensure a wide range of different samples to be imaged and showcased on our minimised OCM instrument.