descSPIM: An Affordable Light-Sheet Microscope

In the ever-evolving field of biomedical research, advanced imaging technologies play a crucial role in unraveling the complexities of biological systems. One such groundbreaking innovation is the descSPIM (desktop-equipped SPIM for cleared specimens), a low-cost, do-it-yourself light-sheet microscope designed to make high-resolution 3D imaging accessible to a broader range of researchers, as reported in Nature Communications.

This innovative tool is designed to work seamlessly with tissue clearing techniques, enabling researchers to visualize intricate details within biological specimens. For the microscopy construction, the group used our Cobolt Skyra multi-line laser in 488/515/561/647 nm.

descSPIM is capable of imaging whole mouse brains and cancer cell line-derived xenograft tumors, providing detailed insights into complex biological structures.

Additionally, the microscope is academically open-sourced, allowing researchers to routinely perform 3D imaging of cleared samples in a matter of minutes. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of this tool is that it is tailored for biomedical researchers with minimal expertise in microscopy, thus potentially spreading its usage across disciplines.