Optical Analysis of Metabolic Change in Cells
Researchers at Tufts University have developed an optical tool that can reveal “specific metabolic signatures” in cells, without damaging them. “The method is based on the fluorescence of two important coenzymes (biomolecules that work in concert with enzymes) when excited by a laser beam. The coenzymes — nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) — are involved in a large number of metabolic pathways in every cell. To find out the specific metabolic pathways affected by disease or stress, the Tufts scientists looked at three parameters: the ratio of FAD to NADH, the fluorescence “fade” of NADH, and the organization of the mitochondria as revealed by the spatial distribution of NADH within a cell (the energy producing “batteries” of the cell).” MORE
Image Credit: Tufts University, Tufts Now