Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
Whole-Kidney Three-Dimensional Staining with CUBIC
Published on: July 18, 2022
Non-linear optical microscopy of kidney tumours
Roberta Galli1, Valdas Sablinskas, Darius Dasevicius
1Dresden University of Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Sensing and Monitoring, Fetscher Str. 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany. roberta.galli@tu-dresden.de.
Abstract:
The unregulated cancer cell growth leads to strong alterations in morphology and composition of the tissue. The combination of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering, two-photon excited fluorescence and second harmonic generation enables a high resolution imaging with strong information on tissue composition and can then provide useful information for tumour diagnosis. Here we present the potential of multimodal non-linear microscopy for imaging of renal tumours. Using cryosections of human oncocytoma and carcinoma, the method gave a detailed insight in cancer morphology and composition, enabling to discern between normal kidney tissue, tumour and necrosis. Several features significant for the diagnosis were clearly visualised without use of any staining. Translation of this method in clinical pathology will greatly improve speed and quality of the analyses.
Insights
Multimodal non-linear microscopy offers high-resolution imaging for renal tumour diagnosis. This staining-free technique reveals detailed cancer morphology and composition, improving diagnostic accuracy and speed in clinical pathology.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Cancer Research
- Pathology
Background:
- Unregulated cancer cell growth causes significant tissue alterations.
- Accurate tumour diagnosis relies on detailed morphological and compositional analysis.
- Current diagnostic methods can be time-consuming and may require staining.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the potential of multimodal non-linear microscopy for imaging renal tumours.
- To evaluate the method's ability to discern between normal tissue, tumours, and necrosis.
- To demonstrate a staining-free approach for enhanced tumour diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a combination of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF), and second harmonic generation (SHG).
- Applied multimodal non-linear microscopy to cryosections of human oncocytoma and carcinoma.
- Performed high-resolution imaging to analyze tissue morphology and composition.
Main Results:
- Achieved high-resolution imaging with detailed insights into renal tumour morphology and composition.
- Successfully differentiated between normal kidney tissue, tumour, and necrotic areas.
- Visualized several key diagnostic features without the need for exogenous staining.
Conclusions:
- Multimodal non-linear microscopy provides valuable, staining-free information for renal tumour diagnosis.
- The technique enables clear visualization of diagnostic features, improving diagnostic capabilities.
- Clinical translation of this method promises to enhance the speed and quality of pathological analyses.
