Refractive index maps and membrane dynamics of human red blood cells parasitized by Plasmodium falciparum

Parasitization by malaria-inducing Plasmodium falciparum leads to structural, biochemical, and mechanical modifications to the host red blood cells (RBCs). To study these modifications, we investigate two intrinsic indicators: the refractive index and membrane fluctuations in P. falciparum-invaded human RBCs (Pf-RBCs). We report experimental connections between these intrinsic indicators and pathological states. By employing two noninvasive optical techniques, tomographic phase microscopy and diffraction phase microscopy, we extract three-dimensional maps of refractive index and nanoscale cell membrane fluctuations in isolated RBCs. Our systematic experiments cover all intraerythrocytic stages of parasite…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 0754339, DBI-0754339
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: P41-RR02594-18, GM076689, RR02594, P41-RR02594
• S
  Samsung