Imaging whole organs and organoids by light sheet microscopy

Light sheet fluorescence microscopy is an advanced technique in the field of microscopy, which enables imaging of a whole organ. Illuminating the sample from the side allows us to image each Z plain with a good signal to noise ratio and minimal photodamage. For imaging whole organs, a clearing process of the sample is needed to get rid of the lipids and allow the light path to pass through the sample. We already have an experience with brain imaging of several animal species such as mouse, rat and turtle, in addition to imaging mouse embryos at different stages on the CTLS (Cleared tissue light sheet). Another system that we use is the LS7 (light sheet 7) from Zeiss, which allows us to do live imaging of small organs or organoids. With a heating system and CO₂ controller, we can create a suitable ex‑vivo environment and take movies of prolonged biological processes. For example, we have an experience with ex‑vivo imaging of cell movement in the mouse embryo cochlea. We highly recommend researchers to try out this new and exciting technique, which can be used in a wide range of experiments.