Fuente: PubMed "microbial biotechnology" Biomed Opt Express. 2026 Mar 31;17(4):2161-2172. doi: 10.1364/BOE.590363. eCollection 2026 Apr 1.ABSTRACTRapid assessment of microbial responses to chemical stress remains challenging for conventional susceptibility testing, which relies on endpoint-based growth measurements. Here, we present a proof-of-concept optical approach combining laser speckle imaging with an event-based camera for real-time, label-free monitoring of microbial activity. Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae colonies exposed to metal ion solutions as a model system, we show that speckle-derived event rates sensitively capture temporal changes in fungal dynamics. Sustained reductions in event rate correspond to strong inhibitory effects and qualitatively correlate with growth suppression measured by optical density assays. These results demonstrate the potential of event-based laser speckle imaging for rapid phenotypic monitoring of antimicrobial stress effects in a proof-of-concept setting.PMID:42110998 | PMC:PMC13155853 | DOI:10.1364/BOE.590363