Alterations in morphological, biochemical, and mechanical properties of individual diabetic red blood cells were quantitatively and non-invasively studied employing a 3-D quantitative phase imaging technique. No significant alterations were observed in the morphological and biochemical parameters of diabetic red blood cells compared to the healthy ones. However, membrane fluctuations of the diabetic red blood cells were significantly diminished and exhibited negative correlation with HbA1c levels, implying a deteriorated deformability of diabetic RBCs....read more