To obtain high-resolution images of fluorescently labeled cells within large tissues, ideally, the biological samples should be imaged without sectioning. 3DISCO is a straightforward tissue clearing procedure based on sequential incubation with organic solvents. Upon clearing, the organs become transparent allowing an end-to-end laser scan of the specimen.
Total time
~2–3 days per organ (including solvent incubation steps)
Steps
1
Image cleared organs using laser scanning
Acquire high-resolution fluorescence images of transparentized tissues via end-to-end laser scanning to visualize labeled cells throughout intact organs without sectioning.
▶ 01:32
2
Examine representative 3DISCO-cleared tissue images
Review sample fluorescence micrographs of cleared tissues demonstrating cellular-level visualization achieved by the 3DISCO transparency protocol.
▶ 04:14
3
Summarize tissue clearing and imaging workflow
Consolidate key principles: sequential organic solvent incubation renders organs transparent, enabling label-free whole-organ imaging at cellular resolution.
▶ 06:54