Conexiant
Login
  • The Analytical Scientist
  • The Cannabis Scientist
  • The Medicine Maker
  • The Ophthalmologist
  • The Pathologist
  • The Traditional Scientist
The Pathologist
  • Explore Pathology

    Explore

    • Latest
    • Insights
    • Case Studies
    • Opinion & Personal Narratives
    • Research & Innovations
    • Product Profiles

    Featured Topics

    • Molecular Pathology
    • Infectious Disease
    • Digital Pathology

    Issues

    • Latest Issue
    • Archive
  • Subspecialties
    • Oncology
    • Histology
    • Cytology
    • Hematology
    • Endocrinology
    • Neurology
    • Microbiology & Immunology
    • Forensics
    • Pathologists' Assistants
  • Training & Education

    Career Development

    • Professional Development
    • Career Pathways
    • Workforce Trends

    Educational Resources

    • Guidelines & Recommendations
    • App Notes

    Events

    • Webinars
    • Live Events
  • Events
    • Live Events
    • Webinars
  • Profiles & Community

    People & Profiles

    • Power List
    • Voices in the Community
    • Authors & Contributors
  • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
Subscribe
Subscribe

False

The Pathologist / Issues / 2019 / May / Photoacoustic Microscopy Makes All the Right Noises
Hematology Technology and innovation Biochemistry and molecular biology Hematology Oncology Research and Innovations

Photoacoustic Microscopy Makes All the Right Noises

A new technique uses sound waves to listen to the oxygen consumption rate of cancer cells

By Luke Turner 05/16/2019 Quick Read (pre 2022) 1 min read

Share

It may look like a giant game of space invaders, but each colored dot in this image is an individual cancer cell within a droplet of blood. In this scanned image of single-cell metabolic photoacoustic microscopy (SCM-PAM), different colors represent the amount of oxygen dissolved in each well. To measure oxygen consumption rate, researchers place cells into individual wells filled with blood; those with higher metabolisms consume more oxygen, lowering the level remaining in the blood. But instead of tiny oxygen sensors, which can affect the metabolic rates of the cells, SCM-PAM uses a laser tuned to a wavelength that hemoglobin can absorb and turn into vibrational energy, or sound. How? Hemoglobin’s ability to absorb light at that particular wavelength changes as it becomes oxygenated, meaning that its sound can indicate the degree of oxygenation in the blood. This new approach can analyze 3,000 cells in just 15 minutes, paving the way for a greater understanding of intratumoral heterogeneity.

Credit: Caltech

Newsletters

Receive the latest pathology news, personalities, education, and career development – weekly to your inbox.

Newsletter Signup Image

References

  1. P Hai et al., “High-throughput, label-free, single-cell photoacoustic microscopy of intratumoral metabolic heterogeneity”, Nat Biomed Eng, [Epub ahead of print] (2019). PMID: 30936431.

About the Author(s)

Luke Turner

While completing my undergraduate degree in Biology, I soon discovered that my passion and strength was for writing about science rather than working in the lab. My master’s degree in Science Communication allowed me to develop my science writing skills and I was lucky enough to come to Texere Publishing straight from University. Here I am given the opportunity to write about cutting edge research and engage with leading scientists, while also being part of a fantastic team!

More Articles by Luke Turner

Explore More in Pathology

Dive deeper into the world of pathology. Explore the latest articles, case studies, expert insights, and groundbreaking research.

False

Advertisement

Recommended

False

Related Content

Breathing New Life into Diagnostics
Technology and innovation
Breathing New Life into Diagnostics

January 22, 2024

6 min read

Jonathan Edgeworth on how metagenomics could transform testing for respiratory infections

Opening a Window into Brain Trauma
Technology and innovation
Opening a Window into Brain Trauma

January 18, 2024

4 min read

Raman spectroscopy shows promise as the first point-of-care diagnostic device for TBI

Molecular Spectacular
Technology and innovation
Molecular Spectacular

January 8, 2024

1 min read

A look at last year’s most interesting molecular pathology stories

Cracking Colon Cancer
Technology and innovation
Cracking Colon Cancer

January 25, 2024

1 min read

How a new clinically approved AI-based tool enables rapid microsatellite instability detection

False

The Pathologist
Subscribe

About

  • About Us
  • Work at Conexiant Europe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 Texere Publishing Limited (trading as Conexiant), with registered number 08113419 whose registered office is at Booths No. 1, Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, England, WA16 8GS.