Single-cell magnetic imaging using a quantum diamond microscope

Nat Methods. 2015 Aug;12(8):736-738. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.3449. Epub 2015 Jun 22.

Abstract

We apply a quantum diamond microscope for detection and imaging of immunomagnetically labeled cells. This instrument uses nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond for correlated magnetic and fluorescence imaging. Our device provides single-cell resolution and a field of view (∼1 mm(2)) two orders of magnitude larger than that of previous NV imaging technologies, enabling practical applications. To illustrate, we quantified cancer biomarkers expressed by rare tumor cells in a large population of healthy cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / chemistry
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods
  • Diamond
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Magnetic Phenomena*
  • Magnetics
  • Microscopy / instrumentation*
  • Microscopy / methods
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Nanotechnology / methods
  • Nitrogen / chemistry
  • Quantum Theory
  • Single-Cell Analysis*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Diamond
  • Nitrogen