Q-Phase (Telight) Holographic Incoherent-light-source Quantitative Phase Imaging (Q-Phase)

CONTACT US

Guarantor: Aneta Křížová, Ph.D.
Instrument status: Operational Operational, 15.12.2022 12:56
Equipment placement: Vysoké učení technické v Brně, CEITEC
Research group: Biophotonics Core Facility


Description:

Q-Phase is a cutting-edge microscope system designed for high-precision, label-free quantitative phase imaging (QPI). Based on a patented technology of coherence-controlled holographic microscopy, Q-Phase uses an incoherent light source to deliver high-quality, artefact-free imaging—overcoming the common drawbacks of laser-based systems.

At the core of Q-Phase is a 660 nm LED light source, with the beam split into two paths: one passing through the sample, the other through a reference. Upon recombination, a digital hologram is generated, capturing both amplitude and phase information in real time. This approach enables non-invasive, high-contrast imaging with exceptional sensitivity.

In cell biology, QPI is particularly valuable: phase shifts directly correspond to cell dry mass, offering an accurate, quantitative metric for assessing cell health, growth, and behavior—without the need for labels or dyes.


Publications:

  • BOUCHAL, Z.; BOUCHAL, P.; CHMELÍKOVÁ, T.; FIURÁSEK, J., 2024: On quantitativeness of diffraction-limited quantitative phase imaging. APL PHOTONICS , p. 126111-1 - 14, doi: 10.1063/5.0232405; FULL TEXT
    (Q-Phase)
  • TOLDE, O.; GANDALOVIČOVÁ, A.; KŘÍŽOVÁ, A.; VESELÝ, P.; CHMELÍK, R.; RÖSEL, D.; BRÁBEK, J., 2018: Quantitative phase imaging unravels new insight into dynamics of mesenchymal and amoeboid cancer cell invasion. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 8, p. 1 - 13, doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-30408-7; FULL TEXT
    (Q-Phase)
  • BABOCKÝ, J.; KŘÍŽOVÁ, A.; ŠTRBKOVÁ, L.; KEJÍK, L.; LIGMAJER, F.; HRTOŇ, M.; DVOŘÁK, P.; TÝČ, M.; ČOLLÁKOVÁ, J.; KŘÁPEK, V.; KALOUSEK, R.; CHMELÍK, R.; ŠIKOLA, T., 2017: Quantitative 3D phase imaging of plasmonic metasurfaces. ACS PHOTONICS 4(6), p. 1389 - 9, doi: 10.1021/acsphotonics.7b00022; FULL TEXT
    (MIRA-EBL, EVAPORATOR, LYRA, Q-Phase)
  • KOLLÁROVÁ, V.; ČOLLÁKOVÁ, J.; DOSTÁL, Z.; VESELÝ, P.; CHMELÍK, R., 2015: Quantitative phase imaging through scattering media by means of coherence-controlled holographic microscope. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 20(11), p. 1112016-1 - 8, doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.20.11.111206; FULL TEXT
    (Q-Phase)
  • ČOLLÁKOVÁ, J.; KŘÍŽOVÁ, A.; KOLLÁROVÁ, V.; DOSTÁL, Z.; SLABÁ, M.; VESELÝ, P.; CHMELÍK, R., 2015: Coherence-controlled holographic microscopy enabled recognition of necrosis as the mechanism of cancer cells death after exposure to cytopathic turbid emulsion.. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 20(11), p. 111213-1 - 7, doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.20.11.111213; FULL TEXT
    (Q-Phase)

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Specification:

Q-Phase is engineered for ease of use and experimental flexibility, featuring: 

  • Motorized hardware: Automated objective exchange, sample stage control, and focusing
  • Automated acquisition: Time-lapse, multiposition, multichannel, and Z-stack capabilities
  • Integrated fluorescence module: Seamlessly combine quantitative phase and fluorescence imaging for correlative, multimodal analysis
  • Microscope incubator: Microscope-compatible incubator with adjustable temperature for live-cell experiments
  • Advanced analysis software: Comprehensive tools for quantification, segmentation, and cell tracking 

 

Key Features 

  • Quantitative Phase Imaging: Label-free, non-invasive imaging without halos, speckles, or parasitic interference
  • Live-cell imaging: Low phototoxicity; ideal for long-term time-lapse and multi-field experiments
  • Real-time quantification: Direct measurement of cell dry mass, without scanning
  • Accurate segmentation & tracking: Clear backgrounds and precise cell boundary detection
  • Multimodal capabilities: Overlay quantitative phase and fluorescence images for comprehensive insights
  • High-contrast visualization: Capture fine cellular structures and compartments 
  • Imaging in scattering media: Effective in scattering and turbid media environments (callagen gells, 3D matrices) 

 

Objective Lenses Nikon

  • 4× Plan Achromat, NA 0.1, WD 30 mm 
  • 10× Plan Fluor, NA 0.3, WD 16 mm 
  • 20× Plan Fluor, NA 0.5, WD 2.1 mm 
  • 40× Plan Apo, NA 0.95, WD 0.17–0.25 mm 

 

Fluorescence Filters 

  • DAPI / FITC / TRITC / Cy5 
  • GFP / mCherry 

 

Applications Examples 

  • Long-term live-cell imaging, stem cells and cancer research 
  • Monitoring cellular growth throughout the cell cycle 
  • Studying morphology and dry mass changes after treatments 
  • Investigating different forms of cell death 
  • And many more applications in biology and beyond 

 

Q-Phase is also suitable for non-biological and material science studies. 

The system is available for scientific use, testing, and custom applications. 

Developed in collaboration with Telight, Q-Phase incorporates a globally unique technology protected by patents in the EU, USA, and EA, with pending applications in other regions. 

For the latest updates and detailed specifications, visit the Telight website

Head of Core Facility

Daniel Zicha
Daniel Zicha
Deputy Research Group Leader (R3)
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