Researchers at the University of Adelaide have performed the first imaging of embryos using cameras designed for quantum measurements.

The University’s Center of Light for Life academics investigated how to best use ultrasensitive camera technology, including the latest generation of cameras that can count individual packets of light energy at each pixel, for life sciences.

Center director Professor Kishan Dholakia said the sensitive detection of these packets of light energy, termed photons, is vitally important for capturing biological processes in their natural state—allowing researchers to illuminate live cells with gentle doses of light.