Digital holographic microscopy of polarization applied to the quantification of the polymerization due effects of the anti-sickling agents in the falciforme anemia

• Grant number: 12/03375-2
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: July 31, 2012
• End date: December 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Mikiya Muramatsu
• Grantee: Mikiya Muramatsu
• Visiting researcher: Francisco Palacios Fernández
• Visiting researcher institution: Universidad de Oriente, Cuba
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Quantitative effect of Hydroxyurea as anti-sickling agent in the molecular polymerization of the Sickle Cell Anemia is analyzed in this project. The technique of Digital Holographic Microscopy of Polarization it is used to analyze the polymerization at cellular level through the reconstruction of optical parameters that quantitatively characterize the interaction between the polarized light with the polymerized hemoglobin structures. The optical parameters are visualized as images of linear and circular dichroism and birefringence. These images bring quantitative information in each erythrocyte about the amount and distribution of the polymerized hemoglobin, as well as the differentiation of structures types that characterize the polymerization process. To prove the Hydroxyurea anti-sickling effects, blood cells samples of patients with and without the treatment they will be processed. From the comparative analysis among the two types of blood cells samples, the Hydroxyurea anti-sickling effects will be correlated with regard to the polymerization characteristics. With this study it is developed a methodology and a technology that can be used in subsequent studies with other anti-sickling drugs with similar effects to Hydroxyurea. This proposal agrees with the priorities of the study of this disease in the aspects related with the study of the prevention ways and the application of advanced techniques to discover new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. (AU)