Cancer cells are traditionally observed on glass slides -- but this flattens them, and makes it difficult for scientists to understand how they act in a more natural environment. Now, a new microscopy technique could allow scientists to observe the cells as they interact with their environment.
Instead of being flat on glass, the technique -- which is called microenvironmental selective plane illumination microscopy -- involves suspending cancer cells inside blocks of collagen.
A long, thin laser is then used to illuminate the cells to make them 'glow', allowing observers to reveal tiny details -- as small as 300 nanometers -- as well as wider details and behaviours. The microscope displays details in high resolution 3D.
In a study published in *Developmental Cell,*a team used the technology to discover that melanoma cells behave completely differently in the collagen blocks than they do under glass slides. In collagen, the cells form a larger number of lumps, also known as 'blebs', that signify the distribution of particular proteins within a tissue. This kind of underlying molecular mechanism had previously been "poorly understood", say the team, due to the "insufficient spatial resolution and limitations" that poor imaging techniques had provided.
Researchers hope that the technique could help them further understand exactly how cancer cells interact with other cells -- the technique, they say, could allow them to observe processes like cell signalling and tissue invasion.
The new imaging technique joins other technology being used to detect and observe cancer cells in the body.
A pen designed by the University of Washington uses dual-axis confocal microscopy to illuminate opaque tissue, capturing images up to half a millimeter beneath the surface and allowing surgeons to safely and efficiently observe and remove cancerous cells and tissue.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
