Test & measurement
referred to as senescence. This is a phenomenon where cells stop dividing and secrete inflammatory factors. “Building on research by NASA and many other groups around the world, there is reason to believe that cells age more slowly in microgravity than on Earth. This effect can be measured by certain proteins and mRNA, which are emitted during cell ageing. Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) have emerged as essential factors contributing to or preventing cellular senescence. With a fluorescent marker, this mRNA can be labelled and, when irradiated with the right light, it is made to glow. The complete experiment is carried out over a period of two months in a volume of only ten cubic centimeters. To measure and analyse the necessary processes under these conditions, we need a particularly reliable and compact fluorescence microscope,” explains SAGE payload engineer Jonas Schlör. For the laboratory tests, a U3-38J1XLE-C- HQ was used in the microscope. The camera captures fluorescent mRNA from human cells placed on a microfluidic chip. Microfluidic chips enable the
miniaturisation and integration of complex laboratory functionalities on a single chip. This saves space and reduces the need for samples. Microfluidic chips contain engraved or shaped microchannels through which the fluid to be analysed can flow.
The use of microfluidic channels allows samples in very small volumes. Due to the high resolution of the camera with the rolling shutter sensor IMX415 from Sony, individual cells can be distinguished from each other. The high pixel density of the sensor in particular makes it possible to display individual cells with a diameter of only 15 m. A blue LED energizes the cells in a microfliodic chip. These emit green light of varying intensity depending on the rate of senescence. Cells with a higher senescence rate emit more fluorescent proteins and are therefore brighter. An optical filter allows only the green light from the cells to pass through the lens onto the camera. This allows not only the general senescence rate of the cells to be determined, but also the specific number of living cells. The cells emit different amounts of green light depending on the senescence rate. Cells with a higher senescence rate emit more fluorescent proteins and are therefore brighter. “The data obtained is thus very meaningful and scientifically relevant, as comparable research has not been conducted in this way before,” explains Jonas Schlör. In addition, a complex apparatus, which is otherwise necessary for fluorescence microscopes, can be dispensed with and a lot of space can be saved. “The camera also features numerous software-related setting options, such as exposure times or colour filters, which means that a high degree of flexibility can be
Instrumentation Monthly October 2023
Fluorescence microscope with USB3 uEye XLE board level camera from IDS.
The screen shows the cells captured by the camera.
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