Using attenuated total reflection (ATR) in the terahertz domain, we demonstrate non-invasive, non-staining real time measurements of cytoplasm leakage during permeabilization of live epithelial cells by saponin, and after electropermeabilization. The origin of the contrast observed between cells and culture medium is addressed by both experimental and theoretical approaches, and gives access to permeabilization dynamics of live cells in real time. We show that terahertz modalities are more sensitive than fluorescence microscopy which is the reference optical technique for electropermeabilization. We propose analytical models for the influx and efflux of non-permeant molecules through permeabilized cell membranes.

Date Published: 22 July 2019
PDF: 3 pages
Proc. SPIE 11075, Novel Biophotonics Techniques and Applications V, 110750E (22 July 2019); doi: 10.1117/12.2526722

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 11075:
Novel Biophotonics Techniques and Applications V
Arjen Amelink; Seemantini K. Nadkarni, Editor(s)