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PNNL-13501 - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

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Coupled NMR and Confocal Microscopy for In Situ, Real Time Cellular<br />

Measurement Capabilities<br />

Steven D. Colson, Paul D. Ellis, Robert A. Wind, Eric J. Ackerman, Don S. Daly, Gary R. Holtom, Paul D. Majors,<br />

Kevin R. Minard, John M. Price<br />

Study Control Number: PN99009/1337<br />

The purpose of this project is to develop an instrument that integrates magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) and<br />

confocal optical microscopy (OM) so both can be exploited simultaneously for noninvasive analysis of live, large single<br />

cells or three-dimensional cell systems. This instrument may be considered as the next generation instrument for<br />

biochemical and biomedical research on a cellular level.<br />

Project Description<br />

A multidisciplinary research team is carrying out a project<br />

that will generate a novel microscope specifically<br />

designed for cellular research. The instrument will<br />

integrate magnetic resonance microscopy and confocal<br />

optical microscopy so both can be exploited<br />

simultaneously for noninvasive analysis of live, large<br />

single cells or three-dimensional cell systems. The work<br />

performed included 1) constructing, calibrating, and<br />

testing the optical and magnetic resonance components of<br />

the microscope; 2) developing software to operate the<br />

confocal microscope; 3) developing statistical and image<br />

processing methods to improve the information obtained<br />

with magnetic resonance microscopy; and 4) benchmarking<br />

magnetic resonance microscopy-only and optical<br />

microscopy-only activities to establish the state of the art<br />

in each imaging modality. The first combined images<br />

have been obtained of individual Xenopus laevis oocytes.<br />

These high-resolution optical images have been used to<br />

increase the spatial resolution and the contrast near the<br />

cell boundaries in the magnetic resonance images.<br />

Introduction<br />

Both magnetic resonance microscopy and confocal optical<br />

microscopy each have their unique advantages and<br />

disadvantages when applied to studies of live cells<br />

(Blümler et al. 1998; Aiken et al. 1995; Pawley 1995).<br />

For example, while optical images can be acquired with a<br />

high spatial and temporal resolution, the application of<br />

optical microscopy is largely limited to transparent and<br />

stained samples. Conversely, while magnetic resonance<br />

microscopy is well suited for optically opaque samples<br />

and generally requires no exogenous contrast agents, the<br />

method is sensitivity limited. Despite these shortcomings,<br />

however, magnetic resonance microscopy is extremely<br />

useful as it can provide both biophysical and biochemical<br />

information that cannot be obtained with optical<br />

microscopy, and that is particularly useful for<br />

understanding health and disease at a cellular level.<br />

Therefore, correlating the optical microscopy and<br />

magnetic resonance microscopy data provides significant<br />

advantages over each of the methodologies individually.<br />

The specific aim of this project is to construct a<br />

microscope that will make it possible to study cells<br />

simultaneously with optical microscopy and magnetic<br />

resonance microscopy. Then the data obtained with one<br />

technique will be used to guide and optimize<br />

measurements with the other methodology. For example,<br />

the high-resolution optical images can be used to select<br />

volumes of interest on which to perform local magnetic<br />

resonance spectroscopy and to increase the resolution and<br />

contrast in the magnetic resonance images. On the other<br />

hand, magnetic resonance microscopy can provide<br />

complementary information in opaque or partially opaque<br />

cell systems, where optical microscopy is of only limited<br />

use. Moreover, the combined microscope will provide<br />

simultaneous optical/magnetic resonance information<br />

about cellular events, thus correlating the optical and<br />

magnetic resonance data. Therefore, the integrated<br />

optical microscopy/magnetic resonance microscope will<br />

significantly improve the capabilities of both<br />

methodologies for cellular research.<br />

Results and Accomplishments<br />

Magnetic Resonance Microscopy<br />

We tested the performance of the magnetic resonance part<br />

of the compound microscope, and found that the magnetic<br />

Biosciences and Biotechnology 53

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