Light-sheet microscope for live-imaging mammalian embryos and tissues
This multi-disciplinary public-private joint project developed a multi-view multi-sample light sheet microscope suitable for taking live images of 3D mammalian tissues and embryos, with a resolution at the level of individual cells. Light-sheet microscopy allows us to image embryos and tissues live in high resolution. Light-sheet microscopy can visualize live embryos and tissues in high resolution. A specific form of this, Multi-View Single Plane Illumination Microscopy (MuVi-SPIM), increases the depth with which we can see into large objects, such as flies and fish embryos, by up to 1 mm. However, it was not yet possible to simultaneously image multiple samples from mammalian tissues or embryos that require environmental control. We therefore used our expertise in culturing mouse embryos at the implantation stage to further develop and optimize the current MuVi-SPIM microscopy together with our industry partner, Luxendo. Specifically, we developed both specialized mounting methods for the samples and an environment compatible with the MuVi-SPIM setup, in which temperature and medium pH can be controlled. Using this set-up, we successfully captured live images of peri-implantation development of mouse embryos between embryonic day 4.5 and 5.25 for up to 20 hours at single-cell resolution.
This resulted in publication of three high-quality papers. Furthermore, in collaboration with colleagues at the Hubrecht Institute, we confirmed its applicability to organoids. We also developed a computational pipeline to process the large amount of image datasets for efficient storage and high-throughput analysis. This multidisciplinary, public-private project has thus delivered a unique microscopy setup capable of imaging a range of mammalian tissues at high resolution, offering new opportunities for fundamental biological research and industrial as well as clinical applications.
