High resolution, label‐free photoacoustic imaging of live chicken embryo developing in bioengineered eggshell

Abstract

Chicken embryos have been proven to be an attractive vertebrate model for biomedical research. They have helped in making significant contributions for advancements in various fields like developmental biology, cancer research and cardiovascular studies. However, a noninvasive, label-free method of imaging live chicken embryo at high resolution still needs to be developed and optimized. In this work, we have shown the potential of photoacoustic tomography (PAT) for imaging live chicken embryos cultured in bioengineered eggshells. Laser pulses at wavelengths of 532 and 740 nm were used for attaining cross-sectional images of chicken embryos at different developmental stages. Cross-sections along different depths were imaged to gain knowledge of the relative depth of different vessels and organs. Due to high optical absorption of vasculature and embryonic eye, images with good optical contrast could be acquired using this method. We have thus reported a label-free method of performing cross-sectional imaging of chicken embryos at high resolution demonstrating the capacity of PAT as a promising tool for avian embryo imaging. K E Y W O R D S bioengineered eggshell, chicken embryo development, photoacoustic computed tomography, photoacoustic imaging, vasculature imaging

In vivo PET/MRI Imaging of the Chorioallantoic Membrane

“…Most prominent to mention at this point are optical methods [116,117] including bioluminescence [118], fluorescence [119], and tomographic [120,121] techniques. Furthermore, ultrasonographic imaging [122], x-ray based tomographic [45] and even photoacoustic techniques [123] have been introduced, the latter of which with the potential for label-free imaging. In combination with single photon emission tomography (SPECT), tomographic x-ray techniques have been applied to initial evaluation of radiopharmaceuticals in chick embryos [19].…”

High frame rate (∼3 Hz) circular photoacoustic tomography using single-element ultrasound transducer aided with deep learning

“…1-UST-PAT system was employed for phantom PAT imaging. 54 The schematic of the 1-UST-PAT system is shown in Fig. 2(i) .…”

Looking deep inside tissue with photoacoustic molecular probes: a review

“…Over the last two decades, PAI has been used for various preclinical and clinical applications. 14 These include imaging of the whole body (small animal), 64 brain, 61 , 66 , 74 breast, 73 , vasculature, 69 , 75 – 79 skin, 80 , 81 eye, 75 diabetic feet, 76 zebrafish, 48 chicken embryo, 82 etc. In addition, real-time temperature monitoring 83 and vulnerable plaque detection have also been demonstrated.…”