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Reporters broadcast live, on-the-scene, inside living cells

Researchers from Rice University and Princeton University have developed a new technology that allows for the live monitoring of signaling protein networks in living cells. The 'live reporter' system uses unobtrusive proteins to tag specific proteins, which can activate fluorescent markers when they become phosphorylated.

SourceRice University·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 10, 2023

NeuWS camera answers ‘holy grail problem’ in optical imaging

Engineers at Rice University and the University of Maryland developed NeuWS, a technology that can undo light scattering effects, enabling full-motion video through various media. The technology measures wavefronts to rapidly decipher phase information, overcoming the 'holy grail problem' in optical imaging.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 28, 2023

Chemiluminescent carbon nanodots for dynamic and guided antibacteria

Researchers developed chemiluminescent carbon nanodots (CDs) that exhibit excellent in-vivo imaging quality and bacteriostatic rate against various bacteria. The CDs can be used as activatable imaging agents for inflammation-related ROS detection and have potential applications as nanomedicine for antibacterial treatments.

3D battery imaging reveals the secret real-time life of lithium metal cells

A team from Chalmers University of Technology has developed a method to observe the formation of lithium microstructures in real-time using X-ray tomographic microscopy. This breakthrough aims to improve the safety and capacity of lithium metal batteries, which could replace traditional lithium-ion batteries in the future.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2023

Water bears shine brightly via a novel in vivo expression vector system

A novel in vivo expression vector system, TardiVec, has been developed to study anhydrobiosis in live tardigrades, enabling the expression of fluorescent proteins. This technology facilitates further research into anhydrobiosis and stress tolerance, potentially leading to new ways to enhance stress resistance in other organisms.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 24, 2023

New fluorescent dye can light up the brain

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new fluorescent dye that can cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing for noninvasive brain imaging and differentiation between healthy tissue and tumor cells. The dye's long-lasting fluorescence enables stable imaging over extended periods.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

Neuroscientists illuminate how brain cells deep in the cortex operate in freely moving mice

Researchers created a miniature microscope that can image neural activity on a single-cell level from all cortical layers without interfering with animal behavior. The tool, developed by the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior, allows scientists to study how brain cells respond to environmental light and visual cues durin...

SourceMax Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior - caesar·JournalNature Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 28, 2022

HKUST researchers demonstrate near-non-invasive In-vivo imaging in mouse cortex at an unprecedented depth

A HKUST research team developed a microscope combining 3PM with adaptive optics, achieving high-resolution imaging of neuronal structures in mouse cortices up to 750µm below the skull. This technology holds great potential to advance in-vivo imaging techniques and facilitate study of living brain.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJun 13, 2022

Magnetic resonance imaging shows brain inflammation in vivo for the first time

Researchers have developed a non-invasive method to visualize and quantify brain inflammation using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This breakthrough has significant implications for the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 27, 2022

HKUST researchers develop long-term in vivo imaging technique to better understand and treat spinal cord injury

A research team at HKUST has developed a long-term in vivo imaging technique to study spinal cord injury, allowing for repeated and stable imaging without triggering inflammation. The breakthrough enables researchers to track microglia and understand their interaction with degenerating and regenerating axons.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2022

Bio-FlatScope dives deep for useful data

The new device, Bio-FlatScope, uses a custom algorithm to reconstruct images of micron-scale targets like cells and blood vessels inside the body. The light captured by Bio-FlatScope can be refocused after the fact to reveal 3D details, making it potentially valuable for detecting cancer or sepsis.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2022

New approach enables background-suppressed tumor-targeted photoacoustic imaging

A research team has proposed a new approach to achieve background-suppressed tumor-targeted photoacoustic imaging, enabling deep-tissue tumor-specific imaging in vivo. The approach uses genetically engineered bacteria to deliver a photoswitchable chromoprotein to the tumor site, eliminating interference from blood background signals.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2022

Stargazing in the brain: “Star-like” cells display unique activity patterns

Researchers at OIST used advanced imaging to record signaling within single astrocytes, revealing ultra-fast signals on par with neurons and patterns of activity corresponding to different behaviors. The findings suggest that astrocytes may store memories as 'fingerprints' in specific areas, called hotspot maps.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2022

Light in, sound out: photoacoustic probe helps find and fight Wilson's disease and other maladies

Researchers developed a non-toxic, small-molecule probe that provides real-time visualization of disease progression, overcoming limitations of MRI and PET imaging. The probe binds copper ions and detects dysregulated levels, accurately identifying Wilson's disease and other maladies.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 30, 2021

Imaging method predicts how well stem cells can differentiate into cardiac muscle cells

A new imaging technique developed by the Skala Lab can predict the efficiency of cardiomyocyte differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells, providing a non-invasive quality control method. The technique uses autofluorescence to measure metabolic activity and has been shown to be accurate in predicting outcome with high consistency.

SourceMorgridge Institute for Research·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 28, 2021

Adaptive Image Receive (AIR) coil from GE shows promise for whole-brain imaging

A prototype 16-channel head AIR coil from GE Healthcare has been shown to perform better than a conventional 8-channel head coil for in vivo whole-brain imaging, but not as well as a 32-channel coil. The coil's lightweight and flexible design exhibits improved electrical characteristics that could lead to future design improvements.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateDec 3, 2020

Two-photon imaging of Meissner's corpuscle mechanoreceptors in living tissue

Researchers developed an in vivo imaging method to observe Meissner's corpuscle mechanoreceptors in living tissue using two-photon microscopy. This method could unlock the mechanism of touch sensitivity and provide a novel diagnostic tool for neural diseases. The study's findings have applications to human health, particularly in under...

SourceNagoya Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Haptics·DateAug 30, 2016

Dark field imaging of rattle-type silica nanorattles coated gold nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo

A new composite nanoparticle material, silica nanorattles @ gold nanoparticles (SN @ GNs), has been developed for biological imaging. The silica shell reduces the toxicity of gold nanoparticles, increasing their maximum tolerated dose to 200 mg/kg. This innovation provides a promising approach for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

SourceScience China Press·JournalChinese Science Bulletin·DateApr 26, 2013

Bioluminescence at the service of a novel cerebral imaging technique

Scientists have developed a novel technique for in vivo imaging of neuronal function using bioluminescence, enabling the monitoring of calcium activity in neurons or the brain as a whole. This approach has been validated by recording neurons in the ellipsoid body and demonstrates its sensitivity and ability to study all brain structures.

SourceCNRS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 17, 2007