Vibrational optoacoustic detection of lipid-membrane dynamics enables label-free imaging of cell membrane potential

Current technologies to monitor membrane potential are either highly invasive and perturb the integrity of the membrane, use labels that compromise biological behavior, or are limited in sensitivity and do not enable simultaneous monitoring of multiple cells and cell populations. Here, we present Mid-IR Assessment of Conformation in Lipids by Ensemble Sensing (MIRACLES) that, by detection of molecular vibration of lipid acyl chains under cell-membranes electric field dynamics, achieves highly sensitive label-free imaging of membrane potential dynamics in living cells. MIRACLES leverages lipid conformational changes within the plasma membrane as intrinsic indicator for cell membrane depolarization and hyperpolarization. As proof-of-concept, we apply MIRACLES to monitor membrane depolarization during glucose stimulated insulin secretion in {beta}-cells at single-cell level and achieve assessment of {beta}-cell functionality in real time. These results highlight the potential of mid-IR optoacoustic as a powerful tool for indirect, label-free potential assessment of cellular metabolic activities.