Home › Cell Biology › Using In Vitro Live-cell Imaging to Explore Chemotherapeutics Delivered by Lipid-based Nanoparticles
Cell Biology JoVE (Open Access) Citable · DOI

Using In Vitro Live-cell Imaging to Explore Chemotherapeutics Delivered by Lipid-based Nanoparticles

DOI: 10.3791/55405-v
What you'll learn
  • ✓ Set up live-cell imaging experiments to visualize nanoparticle uptake in real time
  • ✓ Interpret time-lapse microscopy data to track drug release and intracellular localization
  • ✓ Distinguish dynamic cellular processes from static fixed-cell observations
Protocol

Live-cell imaging is a powerful tool to visualize dynamic processes. The examination of fixed cells provides only static pictures, which can lead to misinterpretation and confusion about the process. This work presents a method to study uptake, drug release, and intracellular localization of liposomal nanoparticles in living cells.

Difficulty
intermediate
Total time
~4–6 hours (including cell preparation, imaging acquisition, and image analysis)
Model organism
Cultured mammalian cells (cell line not explicitly specified in abstract)
Biosafety
BSL-1

Steps

1
Plate cells for live-cell imaging

Prepare and seed cultured cells onto imaging plates or dishes appropriate for microscopy. Ensure cell density and culture conditions support sustained viability during live imaging.

▶ 00:55
2
Acquire time-lapse microscopy images

Configure microscope settings and capture sequential images of living cells over time to visualize nanoparticle uptake, drug release, and subcellular localization. Record image stacks at appropriate temporal intervals.

▶ 02:34
3
Analyze cellular uptake of chemotherapeutics

Process and interpret time-lapse data to quantify nanoparticle internalization kinetics, track intracellular drug distribution, and distinguish dynamic trafficking from static endpoint measurements.

▶ 08:19
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