A Compact Incubation Platform for Long-Term Cultivation of Biological Samples for Nitrogen-Vacancy Center Widefield Microscopy

Pointner A, Thalheim D, Belasi S, Heinen L, Carnell L, Janko C, Tietze R, Alexiou C, Schneider-Stock R, Nagy R (2026)

Publication Status: Submitted

Publication Type: Unpublished / Preprint

Future Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

DOI: 10.48550/arXiv.2512.14482

Abstract

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond provide a versatile quantum sensing platform for biological imaging through magnetic field detection, offering unlimited photostability and the ability to perform long-term observations without photobleaching or phototoxicity. However, conventional stage-top incubators are incompatible with the unique requirements for NV widefield magnetometry to study cellular dynamics. Here, we present a purpose-built compact incubation platform that maintains precise environmental control of temperature, CO_2 atmosphere, and humidity while accommodating the complex constraints of NV widefield microscopy. The system employs a 3D-printed biocompatible chamber with integrated heating elements, temperature control, and humidified gas flow to create a stable physiological environment directly on the diamond sensing surface. We demonstrate sustained viability and proliferation of HT29 colorectal cancer cells over 90 hours of continuous incubation, with successful magnetic field imaging of immunomagnetically labeled cells after extended cultivation periods. This incubation platform enables long-term cultivation and real-time monitoring of biological samples on NV widefield magnetometry platforms, opening new possibilities for studying dynamic cellular processes using quantum sensing technologies.

Authors with CRIS profile

Andre Pointner Lehrstuhl für Angewandte Quantentechnologien Daniela Thalheim Professur für Experimentelle Tumorpathologie Sarah Belasi Professur für Experimentelle Tumorpathologie Lukas Heinen Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (HNO-Klinik) Lucas Carnell Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (HNO-Klinik) Christina Janko Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (HNO-Klinik) Rainer Tietze Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (HNO-Klinik) Christoph Alexiou Professur für Nanomedizin Regine Schneider-Stock Professur für Experimentelle Tumorpathologie Roland Nagy Lehrstuhl für Angewandte Quantentechnologien

How to cite

APA:

Pointner, A., Thalheim, D., Belasi, S., Heinen, L., Carnell, L., Janko, C.,... Nagy, R. (2026). A Compact Incubation Platform for Long-Term Cultivation of Biological Samples for Nitrogen-Vacancy Center Widefield Microscopy. (Unpublished, Submitted).

MLA:

Pointner, Andre, et al. A Compact Incubation Platform for Long-Term Cultivation of Biological Samples for Nitrogen-Vacancy Center Widefield Microscopy. Unpublished, Submitted. 2026.

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