Featured
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Article
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The actin cytoskeleton plays multiple roles in structural colour formation in butterfly wing scales
NCOMMS-23-44446C Vivid structural colours in butterflies are caused by photonic nanostructures scattering light, however insight into the development of such structures in vivo remains scarce. Here the authors show that actin plays a vital and direct templating role during structural colour formation in butterfly scales, providing ridge patterning mechanisms that are likely universal across lepidoptera.
- Victoria J. Lloyd
- , Stephanie L. Burg
- & Andrew J. Parnell
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Article
| Open Access
Photoacoustic Tomography with Temporal Encoding Reconstruction (PATTERN) for cross-modal individual analysis of the whole brain
Here, the authors introduce Photoacoustic Tomography with Temporal Encoding Reconstruction (PATTERN) - a high-speed, non-destructive photoacoustic brain imaging technique that constructs 3D fluorescent maps of the brain and improves upon some of the limitations associated with traditional whole-brain optical imaging techniques.
- Yuwen Chen
- , Haoyu Yang
- & Bo Lei
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| Open Access
Illuminating the complete ß-cell mass of the human pancreas- signifying a new view on the islets of Langerhans
The pancreatic islets of Langerhans play a pivotal role in regulating blood glucose homeostasis through the regulated secretion of the hormones insulin and glucagon. Here, the authors use deep tissue 3D imaging to re-construct the entire human pancreas at microscopic resolution and display previously unrecognized heterogeneities in the islet’s cellularity with pre-clinical and clinical implications.
- Joakim Lehrstrand
- , Wayne I. L. Davies
- & Ulf Ahlgren
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Article
| Open Access
Alkyne-tagged SERS nanoprobe for understanding Cu+ and Cu2+ conversion in cuproptosis processes
Simultaneously quantifying mitochondrial Cu+ and Cu2+ levels is vital for understanding the molecular mechanism of mitochondria-related biological events. Here the authors report an alkynyl-labeled SERS probe to simultaneously monitor free Cu+ and Cu2+ in mitochondria, and unveil their roles during ischemia and cuproptosis processes.
- Sihan Zhang
- , Yuxiao Mei
- & Yang Tian
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Article
| Open Access
Projective light-sheet microscopy with flexible parameter selection
Projection imaging for multi-cellular samples can be hindered by several factors, including low contrast. Here, the authors propose projective light-sheet imaging with parameter selection (props) of imaging depth, position and viewing angle.
- Bingying Chen
- , Bo-Jui Chang
- & Reto Fiolka
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Article
| Open Access
Automatic data-driven design and 3D printing of custom ocular prostheses
Manual processes to produce ocular prostheses are time-consuming and yield varying quality. Here, authors present an automatic digital end-to-end process for custom ocular prostheses. It creates shape and appearance from image data of an OCT device and produces them using a full-colour 3D printer.
- Johann Reinhard
- , Philipp Urban
- & Mandeep S. Sagoo
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Article
| Open Access
Virtual histological staining of unlabeled autopsy tissue
Conventional staining of post-mortem samples can be affected by several factors, including tissue autolysis. Here, the authors demonstrate a virtual staining tool using a trained neural network to turn autofluorescence images of label-free autopsy tissue into brightfield equivalent images.
- Yuzhu Li
- , Nir Pillar
- & Aydogan Ozcan
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Article
| Open Access
Mesoscopic calcium imaging in a head-unrestrained male non-human primate using a lensless microscope
Current systems for imaging calcium dynamics in the brains of non-human primates require the animal’s movement to be restricted. Here, the authors demonstrate a mesoscale calcium imaging device in a freely moving non-human primate which features a 20 mm2 field of view.
- Jimin Wu
- , Yuzhi Chen
- & Jacob T. Robinson
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Article
| Open Access
Geometric transformation adaptive optics (GTAO) for volumetric deep brain imaging through gradient-index lenses
The GRIN lenses widely used for deep brain functional imaging suffer from a small measurement field of view due to strong fourth-order astigmatism. Here the authors report Geometric Transformation Adaptive Optics (GTAO) that corrects field-dependent astigmatism and enables large-volume in vivo imaging of deep mouse brain through 0.5 mm GRIN lenses.
- Yuting Li
- , Zongyue Cheng
- & Meng Cui
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Article
| Open Access
Intraocular liver spheroids for non-invasive high-resolution in vivo monitoring of liver cell function
Longitudinal monitoring of liver function in vivo is hindered by the lack of high-resolution non-invasive imaging techniques. Here, the authors show a crucial and unique tool for longitudinal in vivo imaging of liver spheroids at cellular resolution to study liver physiology and disease.
- Francesca Lazzeri-Barcelo
- , Nuria Oliva-Vilarnau
- & Per-Olof Berggren
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Article
| Open Access
Single-photon microscopy to study biomolecular condensates
The wide variety of cellular processes involving biomolecular condensation makes their quantification a challenging task. Here, the authors present an integrated platform based on single-photon microscopy to study complex biomolecular processes.
- Eleonora Perego
- , Sabrina Zappone
- & Giuseppe Vicidomini
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Article
| Open Access
Imaging cellular forces with photonic crystals
Current techniques for visualizing cell generated forces suffer from throughput limitations. Here, Gu et al. introduced photonic crystal cellular force microscopy, inspired by chameleons, enabling visualization and quantification of vertically directed cell forces, well-suited for drug screening.
- Qiwei Li
- , Zaozao Chen
- & Zhongze Gu
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Article
| Open Access
Near-infrared-II photoacoustic imaging and photo-triggered synergistic treatment of thrombosis via fibrin-specific homopolymer nanoparticles
The near-infrared-II (NIR-II) window has shown great promise for in vivo imaging and therapy. Here, the authors integrate a homopolymer and thermo-sensitive nitric oxide prodrug into nanoparticles for long-wavelength NIR-II photoacoustic imaging and synergistic treatment in preclinical thrombosis models.
- Jianwen Song
- , Xiaoying Kang
- & Ji Qi
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Article
| Open Access
Single virus fingerprinting by widefield interferometric defocus-enhanced mid-infrared photothermal microscopy
The study of viruses relies on the detection of viral proteins or viral nucleic acids. Here, the authors present a widefield interferometric defocus-enhanced mid-infrared photothermal (WIDE-MIP) microscope for high-throughput fingerprinting of single viruses.
- Qing Xia
- , Zhongyue Guo
- & Ji-Xin Cheng
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Article
| Open Access
Widefield imaging of rapid pan-cortical voltage dynamics with an indicator evolved for one-photon microscopy
Genetically encoded voltage indicators need fast and large signals to allow widefield imaging of rapid neuronal activity. Here, the authors develop the indicator JEDI-1P and demonstrate pan-cortical voltage imaging and gamma-frequency tracking in awake mice in single trials.
- Xiaoyu Lu
- , Yunmiao Wang
- & François St-Pierre
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Article
| Open Access
Large-scale recording of neuronal activity in freely-moving mice at cellular resolution
Single-cell resolution recording from behaving mice requires either head fixation or attachment of a miniaturized device which may alter behavior. Here, the authors present a new recording method without mechanical restrictions on mouse movement.
- Aniruddha Das
- , Sarah Holden
- & Hod Dana
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Article
| Open Access
Deep learning-enabled realistic virtual histology with ultraviolet photoacoustic remote sensing microscopy
Oncologic tumour resection is not fully accurate. Here the authors report a label-free virtual histological imaging method based on a non-contact, reflection-mode ultraviolet photoacoustic remote sensing and scattering microscope, combined with unsupervised deep learning using a cycle-consistent GAN.
- Matthew T. Martell
- , Nathaniel J. M. Haven
- & Roger J. Zemp
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Article
| Open Access
TIGIT can inhibit T cell activation via ligation-induced nanoclusters, independent of CD226 co-stimulation
CD226 provides a co-stimulatory signal to the T cell receptor during activation, and TIGIT is believed to inhibit this process by competing for the CD226 ligand CD155. Here authors show that ligand binding induces dense nanocluster formation by TIGIT which initiates intrinsic, CD226 independent inhibitory signals, proximal to T cell receptor signalling.
- Jonathan D. Worboys
- , Katherine N. Vowell
- & Daniel M. Davis
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Article
| Open Access
Non-invasive electromechanical assessment during atrial fibrillation identifies underlying atrial myopathy alterations with early prognostic value
Electromechanical characterization during atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a significant gap in the understanding of AF-related atrial myopathy. Here, the authors use non-invasive atrial electromechanical assessment during AF to identify early remodeling changes associated with underlying myopathy, which in the clinic decrease the probability of acute and mid-term successful rhythm control.
- Daniel Enríquez-Vázquez
- , Jorge G. Quintanilla
- & David Filgueiras-Rama
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| Open Access
Large depth-of-field ultra-compact microscope by progressive optimization and deep learning
Traditional optical microscope, while bulky, often fails to deliver optimal performance. Here, the authors have engineered an integrated microscope of 0.15 cm3 in volume and a weight of 0.5 g, which outperforms a commercial microscope and can be seamlessly integrated with a smartphone.
- Yuanlong Zhang
- , Xiaofei Song
- & Qionghai Dai
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Article
| Open Access
Cucurbit[8]uril-based water-dispersible assemblies with enhanced optoacoustic performance for multispectral optoacoustic imaging
The applications of organic small-molecule contrast agents for multispectral optoacoustic imaging have been restrained by several challenges including relatively low extinction coefficient, poor water solubility and weak optoacoustic performance. Here, the authors address these limitations by constructing water-dispersible supramolecular optoacoustic assemblies based on cucurbit[8]uril.
- Yinglong Wu
- , Lihe Sun
- & Yanli Zhao
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Article
| Open Access
Deep optoacoustic localization microangiography of ischemic stroke in mice
Optoacoustic super-resolution at millimeter-scale depths has been impeded by the strong background absorption from blood cells. Here, the authors use dichloromethane microdroplets with high optical absorption and demonstrate 3D microangiography of the mouse brain via optoacoustic localization.
- Xosé Luís Deán-Ben
- , Justine Robin
- & Daniel Razansky
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Article
| Open Access
Parallel interrogation of the chalcogenide-based micro-ring sensor array for photoacoustic tomography
The authors report a highly sensitive chalcogenide-based micro-ring sensor array for photoacoustic tomography and develops a compatible parallel interrogation means by synthesizing a digital optical frequency comb. Imaging is demonstrated on fast-moving objects, leaf veins, and live zebrafish.
- Jingshun Pan
- , Qiang Li
- & Zhaohui Li
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Article
| Open Access
Near-lifespan longitudinal tracking of brain microvascular morphology, topology, and flow in male mice
Brain vascular impairment may occur early in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Here the authors longitudinally study brain vascular dynamics in mice using advanced optical coherence tomography and deep learning algorithms, which enables tracking of slow vascular decline in aging and models of disease.
- Konrad W. Walek
- , Sabina Stefan
- & Jonghwan Lee
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Article
| Open Access
A local water molecular-heating strategy for near-infrared long-lifetime imaging-guided photothermal therapy of glioblastoma
Neodymium (Nd)-doped nanoparticles have been described for imaging-guided photothermal therapy. Here the authors design a Nd-Yb co-doped nanomaterial as nearinfrared long-lifetime imaging-guided waterheating probe, showing photothermal ablation in a glioblastoma pre-clinical mode
- Dongkyu Kang
- , Hyung Shik Kim
- & Joonseok Lee
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Article
| Open Access
Computational conjugate adaptive optics microscopy for longitudinal through-skull imaging of cortical myelin
The authors realize longitudinal deep-brain imaging through an intact mouse skull by constructing a high-speed reflection matrix microscope at 1.3 µm wavelength and developing a computational conjugate adaptive optics algorithm eliminating skull aberrations.
- Yongwoo Kwon
- , Jin Hee Hong
- & Wonshik Choi
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Article
| Open Access
Long-term monitoring of intravital biological processes using fluorescent protein-assisted NIR-II imaging
The retention time and toxicity of synthetic NIR-II fluorophores limit long-term application. Here the authors use infrared fluorescent proteins (iRFPs) as NIR-II probes for prolonged continuous imaging in mice, and generate a transgenic mouse model which they use to image liver and pancreas.
- Muxiong Chen
- , Zhe Feng
- & Zhengping Xu
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Article
| Open Access
Optical gearbox enabled versatile multiscale high-throughput multiphoton functional imaging
The authors develop an optical gearbox to accelerate the laser scanning microscopes, achieving flexible adjustment of imaging frame rate from tens of Hz to 1 kHz. The technology is validated through in vivo functional imaging of mice brains.
- Jianian Lin
- , Zongyue Cheng
- & Meng Cui
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Article
| Open Access
Phosphorylcholine-conjugated gold-molecular clusters improve signal for Lymph Node NIR-II fluorescence imaging in preclinical cancer models
Fluorescent tracers facilitate the identification and subsequent collection of tumour draining lymph node biopsies, enabling important clinical assessment. Here, the authors present a molecular gold nanocluster NIR-II fluorescent imaging probe and demonstrate its utility to visualise draining lymph nodes in breast and colon cancer mouse models.
- Ani Baghdasaryan
- , Feifei Wang
- & Hongjie Dai
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Article
| Open Access
Life at high temperature observed in vitro upon laser heating of gold nanoparticles
Studying microorganisms at high temperatures is challenging on conventional optical microscopes. Here, the authors introduce the concept of microscale laser heating over the full field of view by using gold nanoparticles as light absorbers, and study thermophile species up to 80 °C.
- Céline Molinaro
- , Maëlle Bénéfice
- & Guillaume Baffou
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Article
| Open Access
Metabolic reprogramming from glycolysis to fatty acid uptake and beta-oxidation in platinum-resistant cancer cells
Metabolic reprogramming is associated with cancer initiation, progression and resistance to therapy. Here, the authors show that metabolic reprogramming from glycolysis to fatty acid uptake and beta-oxidation is associated with cancer-cell platinum-based chemotherapy resistance.
- Yuying Tan
- , Junjie Li
- & Ji-Xin Cheng
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Article
| Open Access
Light-sheet photonic force optical coherence elastography for high-throughput quantitative 3D micromechanical imaging
The authors introduce photonic force optical coherence elastography that uses a light-sheet for parallelised and localised mechanical loading. They demonstrate the combination of 3D imaging of extracellular matrix mechanics with cellular-scale resolution and dynamic monitoring of cell-mediated changes.
- Yuechuan Lin
- , Nichaluk Leartprapun
- & Steven G. Adie
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| Open Access
Automated vitrification of cryo-EM samples with controllable sample thickness using suction and real-time optical inspection
Faster cryo specimen preparation can advance cryo electron microscopy (cryoEM). Here, the authors present a vitrification device with automated sample handling for cryoEM of proteins, suspensions and cells, enabling blot-free sample thinning, dew-point control and characterization of cryo grids prior to data acquisition.
- Roman I. Koning
- , Hildo Vader
- & Michael Schwertner
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Article
| Open Access
Evanescent scattering imaging of single protein binding kinetics and DNA conformation changes
Single molecule detection based on evanescent illumination usually require specially designed nanomaterials. Here, the authors show that single molecule detection can be realised on a plain glass surface via interference between the evanescent lights scattered by molecules and the natural roughness of the glass.
- Pengfei Zhang
- , Lei Zhou
- & Shaopeng Wang
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Article
| Open Access
Mesoscopic landscape of cortical functions revealed by through-skull wide-field optical imaging in marmoset monkeys
The authors developed an optical imaging approach for mapping cortical functions through the intact skull in marmoset monkeys. Detailed functions and topographies were revealed in visual, auditory, and somatosensory cortices at mesoscopic scales.
- Xindong Song
- , Yueqi Guo
- & Xiaoqin Wang
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Article
| Open Access
Long-term in vivo imaging of mouse spinal cord through an optically cleared intervertebral window
Wu et al. developed a technique for longitudinal imaging with subcellular resolution of the spinal cord without causing inflammation or microglia activation in live mouse through an optically cleared intervertebral window.
- Wanjie Wu
- , Sicong He
- & Jianan Y. Qu
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Matters Arising
| Open Access
The overwhelming role of ballistic photons in ultrasonically guided light through tissue
- Eitan Edrei
- & Giuliano Scarcelli
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Matters Arising
| Open Access
Reply to: The overwhelming role of ballistic photons in ultrasonically guided light through tissue
- Maysamreza Chamanzar
- , Matteo Giuseppe Scopelliti
- & Michel M. Maharbiz
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Article
| Open Access
Brain-wide projection reconstruction of single functionally defined neurons
Brain-wide axonal projections of single neurons have been extensively reconstructed without any functional characterization. The authors present a method that allows for developing a precise one-to-one map of both projection patterns and functional features of single neurons in mice.
- Meng Wang
- , Ke Liu
- & Xiaowei Chen
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Article
| Open Access
Measuring mechanical anisotropy of the cornea with Brillouin microscopy
Here, Brillouin optical microscopy noninvasively visualizes microscale anisotropy of the porcine cornea owing to its lamellar fiber structure and quantifies the longitudinal moduli of the bulk tissue. Anisotropy is also detected in angle-resolved measurement of the human cornea in vivo.
- Amira M. Eltony
- , Peng Shao
- & Seok-Hyun Yun
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Article
| Open Access
Multichannel optogenetics combined with laminar recordings for ultra-controlled neuronal interrogation
Researchers from Freiburg University developed an ultraflexible fiber-based 3D light delivery system for electrophysiology and optogenetic manipulation in freely moving animals. The system allows multiside modulation of neuronal activity combined with neuronal measurements.
- David Eriksson
- , Artur Schneider
- & Ilka Diester
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Article
| Open Access
Live-dead assay on unlabeled cells using phase imaging with computational specificity
Common methods for characterising cell viability involve cell staining with chemical reagents. Here the authors report a method for cell viability assessment that does not require labelling; this uses quantitative phase imaging combined with deep learning.
- Chenfei Hu
- , Shenghua He
- & Gabriel Popescu
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Article
| Open Access
Electron transfer-triggered imaging of EGFR signaling activity
Here, the authors design a nanoprobe for in vivo imaging of electronic transfer, consisting of a ferrocene-DNA polymer to transfer electrons to luminescent nanoparticles, changing their optical signal. Using this probe, they map activation of EGFR signalling during tumour treatment.
- Jie Tan
- , Hao Li
- & Quan Yuan
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Article
| Open Access
Simultaneous two-photon imaging of action potentials and subthreshold inputs in vivo
The authors present a geneticallyencoded voltage indicator to specifically measure subthreshold membrane potentials. They combine two-photon imaging of voltage and calcium to map epileptic seizures progression through cortical circuits.
- Yuki Bando
- , Michael Wenzel
- & Rafael Yuste
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Article
| Open Access
Nanosecond-resolution photothermal dynamic imaging via MHZ digitization and match filtering
Photothermal microscopy is limited for imaging of thermal dynamics. Here, the authors introduce a lock-in free, mid-infrared photothermal dynamic imaging system, which significantly increases SNR and imaging speed, and demonstrate metabolism analysis at single-cell level and background removal.
- Jiaze Yin
- , Lu Lan
- & Ji-Xin Cheng
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Article
| Open Access
A H2O2-activatable nanoprobe for diagnosing interstitial cystitis and liver ischemia-reperfusion injury via multispectral optoacoustic tomography and NIR-II fluorescent imaging
Fluorescent imaging in the second biological window has advantages for in vivo applications. Here, the authors synthesise a molecular nanoprobe which activates upon binding H2O2, generating both strong fluorescent NIR-II emission and ultrasound signal for multi-mode imaging of inflammatory diseases.
- Junjie Chen
- , Longqi Chen
- & Yanli Zhao
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Article
| Open Access
Flexible simultaneous mesoscale two-photon imaging of neural activity at high speeds
Functional brain imaging with two-photon microscopy is limited by a tradeoff between imaging area and acquisition speed. Here, the authors present Quadroscope, a flexible microscope which allows for simultaneous video rate acquisition of four independently targetable brain regions across 5 mm.
- Mitchell Clough
- , Ichun Anderson Chen
- & Jerry L. Chen
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Article
| Open Access
Characterisation of tumour microenvironment remodelling following oncogene inhibition in preclinical studies with imaging mass cytometry
The tumour microenvironment (TME) may change in response to cancer treatments such as KRAS G12C inhibition, with potential implications for combination therapies. Here, the authors provide an antibody panel and workflow for analysing the TME with imaging mass cytometry in pre-clinical mouse models.
- Febe van Maldegem
- , Karishma Valand
- & Julian Downward
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Article
| Open Access
Multifocal imaging for precise, label-free tracking of fast biological processes in 3D
Multifocal imaging suffers from a number of limitations. Here the authors report an open-source 3D reconstruction algorithm to enable label-free tracking of spherical and filamentous structures which they use to characterise fluid flow and flagellar beating of human and sea urchin sperm.
- Jan N. Hansen
- , An Gong
- & Luis Alvarez
Cellular structure of dinosaur scales reveals retention of reptile-type skin during the evolutionary transition to feathers