Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (711 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
The recording of images in three-dimensional form on a photographic film by exposing it to a laser beam reflected from the object under study.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Photography
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 2,463 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Holography” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 539 of them (21.9%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 1,006 records.
Reviews account for 118 records (4.8%) and meta-analyses for 2. Randomized controlled trials number 16 (0.6%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 486 |
| 2000-2009 | 432 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,006 |
| 2020 onward | 539 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 118 | 4.8% |
| Meta-analyses | 2 | 0.1% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 16 | 0.6% |
Method: PubMed query "Holography"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in diagnostics and medical technology
A test or device is judged by how well it detects a condition, how often it gives false alarms or misses cases, and whether using it improves outcomes for people. Accuracy depends on who is tested and how common the condition is, so a test that performs well in a specialist hospital can perform differently in the community. Check the reference standard, the population studied, the sensitivity and specificity and whether results were confirmed in a separate group.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gradient light interference microscopy for 3D imaging of unlabeled specimens | 2017 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 153 | cc by PMID 28785013 · DOI · PMC5547102 |
| Comparison of 3-Dimensional and Augmented Reality Kidney Models With Conventional Imaging Data in the Preoperative Assessment of Children With Wilms Tumors | 2019 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 50 | cc by PMID 31002326 · DOI · PMC6481457 |
| Characterizations of individual mouse red blood cells parasitized by Babesia microti using 3-D holographic microscopy | 2015 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 48 | cc by PMID 26039793 · DOI · PMC4650620 |
| Pollen holographic images and light-induced fluorescence measurements at the species level | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 3 | cc by PMID 40360572 · DOI · PMC12075587 |
Gradient light interference microscopy for 3D imaging of unlabeled specimens [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Multiple scattering limits the contrast in optical imaging of thick specimens.
- Closing excerpt
- develop a quantitative phase method that uses low-coherence interferometry for label-free 3D imaging in scattering tissue.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (175 words)
Multiple scattering limits the contrast in optical imaging of thick specimens. Here, we present gradient light interference microscopy (GLIM) to extract three-dimensional information from both thin and thick unlabeled specimens. GLIM exploits a special case of low-coherence interferometry to extract phase information from the specimen, which in turn can be used to measure cell mass, volume, surface area, and their evolutions in time. Because it combines multiple intensity images that correspond to controlled phase shifts between two interfering waves, gradient light interference microscopy is capable of suppressing the incoherent background due to multiple scattering. GLIM can potentially become a valuable tool for in vitro fertilization, where contrast agents and fluorophores may impact the viability of the embryo. Since GLIM is implemented as an add-on module to an existing inverted microscope, we anticipate that it will be adopted rapidly by the biological community.Challenges in biological imaging include labeling, photobleaching and phototoxicity, as well as light scattering. Here, Nguyen et al. develop a quantitative phase method that uses low-coherence interferometry for label-free 3D imaging in scattering tissue.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 28785013 · DOI · PMC5547102
Comparison of 3-Dimensional and Augmented Reality Kidney Models With Conventional Imaging Data in the Preoperative Assessment of Children With Wilms Tumors [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- ImportanceNephron-sparing surgery can be considered in well-defined cases of unilateral and bilateral Wilms tumors, but the surgical procedure can be very challenging for the pediatric surgeon to perform.
- Closing excerpt
- These models may be considered as a supplementary visualization in clinical care.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (285 words)
ImportanceNephron-sparing surgery can be considered in well-defined cases of unilateral and bilateral Wilms tumors, but the surgical procedure can be very challenging for the pediatric surgeon to perform.ObjectiveTo assess the added value of personalized 3-dimensional (3-D) kidney models derived from conventional imaging data to enhance preoperative surgical planning.Design, setting, and participantsIn a survey study, the conventional imaging data of 10 Dutch children with Wilms tumors were converted to 3-D prints and augmented reality (AR) holograms and a panel of pediatric oncology surgeons (n = 7) assessed the quality of the different imaging methods during preoperative evaluation. Kidney models were created with 3-D printing and AR using a mixed reality headset for visualization.Main outcomes and measuresDifferences in the assessment of 4 anatomical structures (tumor, arteries, veins, and urinary collecting structures) using questionnaires. A Likert scale measured differences between the imaging methods, with scores ranging from 1 (completely disagree) to 5 (completely agree).ResultsOf the 10 patients, 7 were girls, and the mean (SD) age was 3.7 (1.7) years. Compared with conventional imaging, the 3-D print and the AR hologram models were evaluated by the surgeons to be superior for all anatomical structures: tumor (median scores for conventional imaging, 4.07; interquartile range [IQR], 3.62-4.15 vs 3-D print, 4.67; IQR, 4.14-4.71; P = .008 and AR hologram, 4.71; IQR, 4.26-4.75; P = .002); arteries (conventional imaging, 3.62; IQR, 3.43-3.93 vs 3-D print, 4.54; IQR, 4.32-4.71; P = .002 and AR hologram, 4.83; IQR, 4.64-4.86; P Conclusions and relevanceIn this study, the 3-D kidney models were associated with improved anatomical understanding among the surgeons and can be helpful in future preoperative planning of nephron-sparing surgery for Wilms tumors. These models may be considered as a supplementary visualization in clinical care.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 31002326 · DOI · PMC6481457
Characterizations of individual mouse red blood cells parasitized by Babesia microti using 3-D holographic microscopy [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Babesia microti causes "emergency" human babesiosis.
- Closing excerpt
- In addition, we examine the dynamic membrane fluctuation of Bm-RBCs, which provide information on cell membrane deformability.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (94 words)
Babesia microti causes "emergency" human babesiosis. However, little is known about the alterations in B. microti invaded red blood cells (Bm-RBCs) at the individual cell level. Through quantitative phase imaging techniques based on laser interferometry, we present the simultaneous measurements of structural, chemical, and mechanical modifications in individual mouse Bm-RBCs. 3-D refractive index maps of individual RBCs and in situ parasite vacuoles are imaged, from which total contents and concentration of dry mass are also precisely quantified. In addition, we examine the dynamic membrane fluctuation of Bm-RBCs, which provide information on cell membrane deformability.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 26039793 · DOI · PMC4650620
Pollen holographic images and light-induced fluorescence measurements at the species level [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The data collection presented here consists of holographic images and light-induced fluorescence measurements of pollen grains performed with the SwisensPoleno Jupiter, an instrument for real-time bioaerosol monitoring.
- Closing excerpt
- Their potential reuse can also be to study pollen morphological and compositional variability at the species level.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (157 words)
The data collection presented here consists of holographic images and light-induced fluorescence measurements of pollen grains performed with the SwisensPoleno Jupiter, an instrument for real-time bioaerosol monitoring. This pollen collection, sampled directly from plants in their natural environment, is meant to provide reference datasets of airborne, mostly allergenic, pollen species found in central Europe. It has the advantage of including fluorescence measurements in addition to holographic images, giving an insight of both particle composition and morphology. Large reference datasets are necessary to develop automatic pollen monitoring tools but gathering fresh samples is complex, seasonally dependent and time consuming. Data sharing is the key to reduce data generation costs and improve identification of local and long-range transport pollen. These data are meant to be used as the basis for training new pollen identification algorithms that will make use of fluorescence measurements. Their potential reuse can also be to study pollen morphological and compositional variability at the species level.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40360572 · DOI · PMC12075587
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Probing neural codes with two-photon holographic optogenetics [5]
- Research article Lensless Imaging and Sensing [6]
- Research article Roadmap on digital holography [Invited] [7]
- Research article Lensless digital holographic microscopy and its applications in biomedicine and environmental monitoring [8]
- Research article All-optical interrogation of neural circuits in behaving mice [9]
- Research article Playing the piano with the cortex: role of neuronal ensembles and pattern completion in perception and behavior [10]
References
- Nguyen TH, Kandel ME, Rubessa M, Wheeler MB, Popescu G. Gradient light interference microscopy for 3D imaging of unlabeled specimens. . 2017. PMID 28785013 · DOI · PMC5547102
- Wellens LM, Meulstee J, van de Ven CP, Terwisscha van Scheltinga CEJ, Littooij AS, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM, et al.. Comparison of 3-Dimensional and Augmented Reality Kidney Models With Conventional Imaging Data in the Preoperative Assessment of Children With Wilms Tumors. . 2019. PMID 31002326 · DOI · PMC6481457
- Park H, Hong SH, Kim K, Cho SH, Lee WJ, Kim Y, et al.. Characterizations of individual mouse red blood cells parasitized by Babesia microti using 3-D holographic microscopy. . 2015. PMID 26039793 · DOI · PMC4650620
- Erb S, Berne A, Clot B, Lbadaoui-Darvas M, Lieberherr GD, Meurville MP, et al.. Pollen holographic images and light-induced fluorescence measurements at the species level. . 2025. PMID 40360572 · DOI · PMC12075587
- Adesnik H, Abdeladim L. Probing neural codes with two-photon holographic optogenetics. Nat Neurosci. 2021. PMID 34400843 · DOI · PMC9793863
- Ozcan A, McLeod E. Lensless Imaging and Sensing. Annu Rev Biomed Eng. 2016. PMID 27420569 · DOI
- Javidi B, Carnicer A, Anand A, Barbastathis G, Chen W, Ferraro P, et al.. Roadmap on digital holography [Invited]. Opt Express. 2021. PMID 34808951 · DOI
- Wu Y, Ozcan A. Lensless digital holographic microscopy and its applications in biomedicine and environmental monitoring. Methods. 2018. PMID 28864356 · DOI
- Russell LE, Dalgleish HWP, Nutbrown R, Gauld OM, Herrmann D, Fişek M, et al.. All-optical interrogation of neural circuits in behaving mice. Nat Protoc. 2022. PMID 35478249 · DOI · PMC7616378
- Carrillo-Reid L, Yuste R. Playing the piano with the cortex: role of neuronal ensembles and pattern completion in perception and behavior. Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2020. PMID 32320944 · DOI · PMC8006069
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.