Abstract
Abstract
Non linear optical imaging techniques are at the forefront of biomedical research over the last years. The ability of label free imaging, diffraction limited resolution, high penetration depth, intrinsic three dimensional (3D) sectioning and low phototoxicity make this technology a perfect diagnostic tool in many biomedical applications. This review briefly refers to the non linear microscopy modalities, depicts their advantages and focuses on recent applications of third harmonic generation microscopy in recognizing lipid body structures in biological specimens. Specifically, this study concentrates on the efficiency of THG signal quantification to be used as an innovative diagnostic tool in the follow up of mouse embryo development, in distinguishing mouse BV2 microglia cell activation and allowing classification of human breast cancer cells.