Dual-mode digital holographic and fluorescence microscopy for the study of morphological changes in cells under simulated microgravity

A dual mode microscope is developed to study morphological evolution of mouse myoblast cells under simulated microgravity in real time. Microscope operates in Digital Holographic Microscopy (DHM) and widefield epifluorescence microscopy modes in a time sequential basis. DHM provides information on real time cellular morphology. EGFP transfected actin filaments in mouse myoblast cells function as the reporter for the fluorescence microscopy mode. Experimental setup is fixed in the RPM to observe microgravity induced dynamic changes in live cells. Initial results revealed two different modifications. Disorganized structures become visible in the formed lamellipodias, and proteins accumulate in the perinuclear region.