The Phasor Approach to Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Analysis (original) (raw)
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Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM): Instrumentation and Applications
Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry, 1992
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) allows fluorescence lifetime images of biological objects to be collected at 250 nm spatial resolution and at (sub-)nanosecond temporal resolution. Often n comp kinetic processes underlie the observed fluorescence at all locations, but the intensity of the fluorescence associated with each process varies per-location, i.e., per-pixel imaged. Then the statistical challenge is global analysis of the image: use of the fluorescence decay in time at all locations to estimate the n comp lifetimes associated with the kinetic processes, as well as the amplitude of each kinetic process at each location. Given that typical FLIM images represent on the order of 10 2 timepoints and 10 3 locations, meeting this challenge is computationally intensive. Here the utility of the TIMP package for R to solve parameter estimation problems arising in FLIM image analysis is demonstrated. Case studies on simulated and real data evidence the applicability of the partitioned variable projection algorithm implemented in TIMP to the problem domain, and showcase options included in the package for the visual validation of models for FLIM data.
A novel fluorescence lifetime imaging system that optimizes photon efficiency
Microscopy Research and Technique, 2008
Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) is a powerful microscopy technique for providing contrast of biological and other systems by differences in molecular species or their environments. However, the cost of equipment and the complexity of data analysis have limited the application of FLIM. We present a mathematical model and physical implementation for a low cost Digital Frequency Domain FLIM (DFD-FLIM) system which can provide lifetime resolution with quality comparable to timecorrelated single photon counting methods. Our implementation provides data natively in the form of phasors. Based on the mathematical model, we present an error analysis which shows the precise parameters for maximizing the quality of lifetime acquisition, as well as data to support this conclusion.
Analytical Biochemistry, 1992
We describe a new fluorescence imaging methodology in which the image contrast is derived from the fluorescence lifetime at each point in a two-dimensional image and not the local concentration and/or intensity of the fluorophore. In the present apparatus, lifetime images are created from a series of images obtained with a gain-modulated image intensifier. The frequency of gain modulation is at the light-modulation frequency (or a harmonic thereof), resulting in homodyne phase-sensitive images. These stationary phase-sensitive images are collected using a slow-scan CCD camera. A series of such images, obtained with various phase shifts of the gain-modulation signal, is used to determine the phase angle and/or modulation of the emission at each pixel, which is in essence the phase or modulation lifetime image. An advantage of this method is that pixel-topixel scanning is not required to obtain the images, as the information from all pixels is obtained at the same time. The method has been experimentally verified by creating lifetime images of standard fluorophores with known lifetimes, ranging from 1 to 10 ns. As an example of biochemical imaging we created lifetime images of Y t-base when quenched by acrylamide, as a model for a fluorophore in distinct environments that affect its decay time. Additionally, we describe a faster imaging procedure that allows images in which a specific decay time is suppressed to be calculated, allowing rapid visualization of unique features and/or regions with distinct decay times. The concepts and methodologies of fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) have numerous potential applications in the biosciences. Fluorescence lifetimes are known to be sensitive to numerous chemical and physical factors such as pH, oxygen, temperature, cations, polarity, and binding to macromolecules. Hence the FLIM method allows chemical or physical imaging of macroscopic and microscopic samples. The phenomenon of fluorescence is widely utilized for research in the biosciences (1-8). These applications have been focused on two divergent disciplines, time-resolved fluorescence and fluorescence microscopy. In the former one takes advantage of the high information content of the time-dependent fluorescence decays to uncover details about the structure and dynamics of macromolecules (4). Such measurements are performed almost exclusively using picosecond laser sources coupled with high-speed photodetectors. Due to
Extended output phasor representation of multi-spectral fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy
Biomedical Optics Express, 2015
In this paper, we investigate novel low-dimensional and model-free representations for multi-spectral fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (m-FLIM) data. We depart from the classical definition of the phasor in the complex plane to propose the extended output phasor (EOP) and extended phasor (EP) for multi-spectral information. The frequency domain properties of the EOP and EP are analytically studied based on a multiexponential model for the impulse response of the imaged tissue. For practical implementations, the EOP is more appealing since there is no need to perform deconvolution of the instrument response from the measured m-FLIM data, as in the case of EP. Our synthetic and experimental evaluations with m-FLIM datasets of human coronary atherosclerotic plaques show that low frequency indexes have to be employed for a distinctive representation of the EOP and EP, and to reduce noise distortion. The tissue classification of the m-FLIM datasets by EOP and EP also improves with low frequency indexes, and does not present significant differences by using either phasor.
Journal of Biomedical Optics
Significance: Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is a powerful technique to distinguish the unique molecular environment of fluorophores. FLIM measures the time a fluorophore remains in an excited state before emitting a photon, and detects molecular variations of fluorophores that are not apparent with spectral techniques alone. FLIM is sensitive to multiple biomedical processes including disease progression and drug efficacy. Aim: We provide an overview of FLIM principles, instrumentation, and analysis while highlighting the latest developments and biological applications. Approach: This review covers FLIM principles and theory, including advantages over intensitybased fluorescence measurements. Fundamentals of FLIM instrumentation in time-and frequencydomains are summarized, along with recent developments. Image segmentation and analysis strategies that quantify spatial and molecular features of cellular heterogeneity are reviewed. Finally, representative applications are provided including high-resolution FLIM of cell-and organelle-level molecular changes, use of exogenous and endogenous fluorophores, and imaging protein-protein interactions with Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). Advantages and limitations of FLIM are also discussed. Conclusions: FLIM is advantageous for probing molecular environments of fluorophores to inform on fluorophore behavior that cannot be elucidated with intensity measurements alone. Development of FLIM technologies, analysis, and applications will further advance biological research and clinical assessments.
Fast fluorescence lifetime imaging techniques: A review on challenge and development
Journal of Innovative Optical Health Sciences, 2019
Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is increasingly used in biomedicine, material science, chemistry, and other related research¯elds, because of its advantages of high speci¯city and sensitivity in monitoring cellular microenvironments, studying interaction between proteins, metabolic state, screening drugs and analyzing their efficacy, characterizing novel materials, and diagnosing early cancers. Understandably, there is a large interest in obtaining FLIM data within an acquisition time as short as possible. Consequently, there is currently a technology that advances towards faster and faster FLIM recording. However, the maximum speed of a recording technique is only part of the problem. The acquisition time of a FLIM image is a complex function of many factors. These include the photon rate that can be obtained from the sample, the amount of information a technique extracts from the decay functions, the e±ciency at which it determines°u orescence decay parameters from the recorded photons, the demands for the accuracy of these parameters, the number of pixels, and the lateral and axial resolutions that are obtained in biological materials. Starting from a discussion of the parameters which determine the acquisition time, this review will describe existing and emerging FLIM techniques and data analysis algorithms, and analyze their performance and recording speed in biological and biomedical applications.
Three-dimensional polar representation for multispectral fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy
Cytometry Part A, 2009
Multispectral fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy is a promising and powerful technique for discriminating multiply labeled samples and for detecting molecular interactions inside thick, heterogeneous, and light-scattering milieu such as tissue. The fast and correct analysis of the spectral and lifetime images constitutes a major challenge, which requires a high level of expertise. We present here a new approach that considerably simplifies this analysis avoiding complex fitting algorithm strategies and permitting a fast and visual graphical representation of the fluorescence lifetimes. By transforming the experimental data from time domain to frequency domain for each spectral channel, we calculate the multispectral polar representation and demonstrate its interest on multiply fluorescent labeled sample. We further apply it on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments and demonstrate that FRET measurements with a high level of precision can be performed. With addition of emission wavelength as third dimension in the polar representation, autofluorescence emitted by the sample is thus clearly identified. Analysis artifacts induced by the sample or by fitting algorithm choice become then totally inexistent. ' 2009 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry Key terms multispectral FLIM; SLIM; biological tissue; molecular interactions; FRET; phasor IN addition to intensity and wavelength, lifetime is a supplementary source of contrast in fluorescence microscopy, which greatly increases access to the biological information in living cells. Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) has indeed been successfully applied to differentiate spectrally undistinguishable molecular species (1) and to map local modifications in labeled samples in terms of ion concentration (2), pH (3), and oxygen (4). FLIM has also been widely used to explore conformational change of proteins (5) or to separate interacting and non-interacting molecular fractions in Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) experiments (6,7).
Biophysical Chemistry, 1993
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) allows fluorescence lifetime images of biological objects to be collected at 250 nm spatial resolution and at (sub-)nanosecond temporal resolution. Often n comp kinetic processes underlie the observed fluorescence at all locations, but the intensity of the fluorescence associated with each process varies per-location, i.e., per-pixel imaged. Then the statistical challenge is global analysis of the image: use of the fluorescence decay in time at all locations to estimate the n comp lifetimes associated with the kinetic processes, as well as the amplitude of each kinetic process at each location. Given that typical FLIM images represent on the order of 10 2 timepoints and 10 3 locations, meeting this challenge is computationally intensive. Here the utility of the TIMP package for R to solve parameter estimation problems arising in FLIM image analysis is demonstrated. Case studies on simulated and real data evidence the applicability of the partitioned variable projection algorithm implemented in TIMP to the problem domain, and showcase options included in the package for the visual validation of models for FLIM data.
mb-FLIM: Model-based fluorescence lifetime imaging
Imaging, Manipulation, and Analysis of Biomolecules, Cells, and Tissues X, 2012
We have developed a model-based, parallel procedure to estimate fluorescence lifetimes. Multiple frequencies are present in the excitation signal. Modeling the entire fluorescence and measurement process produces an analytical ratio of polynomials in the lifetime variable τ. A non-linear model-fitting procedure is then used to estimate τ. We have analyzed this model-based approach by simulating a 10 µM fluorescein solution (τ = 4 ns) and all relevant noise sources. We have used real LED data to drive the simulation. Using 240 µs of data, we estimate τ = 3.99 ns. Preliminary experiments on real fluorescent images taken from fluorescein solutions (measured τ = 4.1 ns), green plastic test slides (measured τ = 3.0 ns), and GFP in U2OS (osteosarcoma) cells (measured τ = 2.1 ns) demonstrate that this model-based measurement technique works.