Prof. Dr. Carsten Fallnich

Label-free multimodal microscopy and functional modification of (intra-) cellular structures

 

Lipid droplets in an emulsion were imaged by tuning the pump and Stokes frequencies within the CARS microscope to a difference frequency of 2845 cm-1, which fits to the vibrational resonance of the symmetric CH2-stretch.
© Fallnich

Biophysics
Development
Imaging Technology


Label-free microscopy enables in-vivo investigations in three dimensions on individual cells and cell clusters. For instance coherent anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) microscopy – sometimes also called vibrational microscopy – allows the exploitation of a chemical contrast without probably toxic or metabolism-modifying molecule-specific labels (see figure). Within this project the available CARS microscope will be extended to different modalities, e.g., to use simultaneously different contrast mechanisms besides CARS or SRS (stimulated Raman scattering) like SHG/THG (second/third harmonic generation) as well as TPA (two-photon absorption). In order to increase the image acquisition up to video frame rate the multimodal detection system and the raster scanning mechanism have to be improved, e.g. by multiplexed detection schemes. Additional investigations on sub-diffraction-limited resolution and higher chemical specificity by using optical light modulators for shaping of ultrafast light pulses in space and time as well as precision inner-cell surgery for modifying cell functionality will be performed.

 

 

Prof. Dr. Carsten Fallnich
Prof. Dr. Carsten Fallnich
University of Münster
Institute of Applied Physics
Corrensstr. 2
48149 Münster
T: +49 (0) 251- 83 - 36160
F: +49 (0) 251- 83 - 36162
fallnich@uni-muenster.de

Vita

  • 1986 - 1992: Studies of Physics, University of Hannover
  • 1992 - 1995: Graduation (Dr. rer. nat.), University of Kaiserslautern
  • 1996 - 1997: Project Leader, BremLas Lasertechnik Bremen GmbH
  • 1997: Research Assistant, Laserzentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH)
  • 1997 - 2005: Head of Laser Development Department, LZH
  • 2004: Habilitation (in Physics), University of Hannover
  • 2005 - 2006: Head of Optical Technologies Department, PTB Braunschweig
  • Since 2006: Full Professor for Applied Physics, University of Münster
  • Since 2014: Professor for Ultrafast Photonic Technologies, University of Twente

Selected references

 Würthwein T, Irwin N, Fallnich C. 2019. ‘Saturated Raman Scattering for Sub-Diffraction-Limited Imaging.’ The Journal of Chemical Physics 151, No. 19: 194201. doi: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5128874.

Brinkmann M, Fast A, Hellwig T, Pence I, Conor E, Fallnich C. 2019. ‘Portable all-fiber dual-output widely tunable light source for coherent Raman imaging.’ Biomedical Optics Express 10, No. 9: 4437-4449. doi: 10.1364/BOE.10.004437.

Rieger S, Würthwein T, Sparenberg K, Boller K-J, Fallnich C. 2018. ‘Density matrix study of ground state depletion towards sub-diffraction-limited spontaneous Raman scattering spectroscopy.’ The Journal of Chemical Physics 148, No. 20: 204110. doi: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5009278.

Rieger S., Grill D., Gerke V., Fallnich C. 2017. ‘Quantitative spontaneous Raman scattering spectroscopy in artificial binary lipid membranes.’ Journal of Raman Spectroscopy 48, No. 10: 1264-1269. doi: 10.1002/jrs.5205.

Würthwein T, Brinkmann M, Hellwig T, Fallnich C. 2017. ‘Rapid spectro-polarimetry to probe molecular symmetry in multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering.’ The Journal of Chemical Physics 147, No. 19: 194201. doi: 10.1063/1.5003564.

Links

Fallnich Lab