OPTICAL METHOD, FOR MEASUREMENT OF NUMBER AND SHAPE OF ATTACHED CELLSIN REAL-TIME

A novel, on-line method of accurately parametrizing the shape of sprea ding cells is described. The substrate on which the cells are deposite d serves as an optical waveguide. The method is based on the interacti on between the evanescent part of the guided waves and the cells. No s pecial labelling of the cells is required. A mathematical framework fo r interpreting the results is derived, and some illustrative results a re presented. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.