Dynamic infrared imaging of cardiac pacemaker induction and cortical muscle contractions of embryonic avian heart.

The dynamic nature of electromagnetic (EM) pacemaker induction of cardiac tissue contractions in cultured embryonic avian heart was analyzed with noninvasive real time infrared (IR) imaging at normal physiological conditions. This technique was used to visualize the endogenous sarcomeric Ca2+ oscillation induced cortical IR-EM radiation within an 8-12 micron IR emission spectra. The results reported here establishes the fact that cardiac energetics produce topographical IR-EM radiation that can be visualized directly without invasive dyes or external light sources to noninvasively study the mechanisms of striated muscle tissue morphogenesis. Since IR microscopy capitalizes on imaging the inherent radiation from biological molecules in tissue, no external light sources are needed to reflect a visual spectrum. These findings provide the framework for future noninvasive investigations and characterizations of the endogenous energetics in living cells.