Unfocused laser illumination kills dye-targeted mouse neurons by selective photothermolysis.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Selective photothermolysis (SP) is a novel technique by which brief, unfocused laser pulses are selectively absorbed by, and cause selective thermal damage to, endogenously pigmented structures. The present experiments demonstrate the feasibility of using an exogenous non-fluorescent chromophore (procion blue) to effect cellular damage by SP. Dorsal root ganglia neurons in vitro were selectively labeled with procion blue and subsequently damaged by unfocused laser illumination. Progressive cellular damage was assessed by propidium iodide (PI), a fluorescent dye that leaks through damaged membranes and binds to nucleic acids. Graded scores of intracellular PI fluorescence demonstrated a highly significant difference in amount of damage between groups of experimental and control cells. Selective photothermolysis is discussed as an experimental tool for neurobiologists in particular and for general use within the biomedical field.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Macklis, JD; Madison, R

Published Date

  • December 16, 1985

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 359 / 1-2

Start / End Page

  • 158 - 165

PubMed ID

  • 3841019

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0006-8993

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/0006-8993(85)91424-6

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • Netherlands