Tissue optical clearing & light sheet microscopy

Understanding complex biological processes can require observation of whole organs in three dimensions. However, microscopic imaging of thick biological samples is difficult because most tissues are opaque. Tissue optical clearing techniques make biological tissues transparent by reducing light absorption and scattering. This process allows a much deeper observation. Observation of entire organs becomes possible!

In order to image these big transparent samples, light sheet microscopy is the technique of choice. It allows fast and low photobleaching acquisitions. This greatly facilitates exploration of whole organs samples such as whole brain, heart, lung or kidney.

At the BIC, we offer training and expertise on sample preparation with CUBIC and IDISCO clearing protocols. For image acquisition, we propose assistance and training on an Ultramicroscope II from Lavision Biotec.

Contact: Jérémie Teillon