Instrument Grant for Truelive 3D - Abstract The ease of access to quantitative imaging technologies such as laser-scanning confocal microscopy has ushered in a revolution in our understanding of the inner workings of cells. However, despite the subcellular resolution afforded by such microscopes, confocal microscopes cannot image with such resolution over the large volumes of cells that reside in the context of multicellular organisms, large organoids, and tissue explants without significant photobleaching or photodestruction. This grant seeks to acquire a light-sheet microscope that is optimized for fast 3D multi-sample volumetric imaging of delicate live specimens in their native environment, the Bruker Luxendo TruLive3D Imager. The TruLive3D is especially suited for multi-position imaging of mouse preimplantation embryos, fly embryos and zebrafish embryos, enabling rapid time-lapse, high-throughput imaging experiments using live specimens. The TruLive 3D imager is particularly appealing to our User Group comprised of developmental biologists, cell biologists, and molecular biologists—all experts in imaging— who aim to overcome the current imaging limitation to define and characterize novel cellular processes. The optical concept of the TruLive3D, the dual-sided illumination and single-lens detection from below, along with the unique design of the sample holding vessels, and the ability to multiplex, enable easy-to-use, extremely fast high-resolution imaging with minimal phototoxicity. Additionally, the combined improvements in image quality, sensitivity, temporal resolution, and reduced bleaching greatly improve the accuracy of image segmentation, tracking, and measurement of signaling dynamics, cell movements, and cell divisions. TruLive3D’s unique multi-well sample holder makes loading and imaging of multiple live specimens easy and quick, allowing for prolonged imaging experiments of otherwise challenging to image samples. The Trulive3D is one of the most versatile systems that can advance our cellular and subcellular understanding of various developmental, physiological and pathological processes. Labs working on fly, zebrafish and mammalian embryogenesis and human/mouse organoids can benefit from this light sheet microscope system to image readouts of signaling dynamics, subcellular dynamics, and cell behaviors in the context of diverse developmental and physiological processes in live specimen. Our User Group includes Drs. Lin He, Ian Swinburne, Hernan Garcia, Xavier Darzacq, Rebecca Heald, Samantha Lewis, David Bilder, Ellen Robey, Sanjay Kumar, Richard Harland, Teresa Puthussery and Mengmeng Fu, who all require this system in order to continue their important research. Most of these investigators are in the Molecular and Cell Biology department, as well as from Physics, Bioengineering, and the School of Optometry, signaling that this will be a useful instrument across the campus.
