The integrated high-resolution reflection-mode photoacoustic and fluorescence confocal microscopy

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Microscopy
• In Vivo Imaging

Background:

• High-resolution imaging is critical for understanding biological processes and disease.
• Existing microscopy techniques often face limitations in resolution or modality.
• Combining different imaging principles can overcome individual technique limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel dual-modality microscopy system integrating reflection-mode photoacoustic and confocal fluorescence imaging.
• To demonstrate the system's capability for scalable, submicron resolution imaging.
• To validate the system's utility in various in vivo models.

Main Methods:

• Development of a dual-modality microscope with a unique, adaptable imaging head.
• Utilizing reflection-mode photoacoustic and confocal fluorescence imaging techniques.
• Performing in vivo imaging experiments on zebrafish, normal mouse ear, and xenograft tumor models.

Main Results:

• Achieved the highest imaging resolution reported to date.
• Demonstrated submicron resolution performance across different biological samples.
• Successfully imaged zebrafish, mouse ear tissues, and tumor angiogenesis.

Conclusions:

• The developed dual-modality microscopy system offers significant advancements in imaging resolution.
• The system is highly versatile and scalable for various research applications.
• This technology holds potential for observing model organisms, studying tumor angiogenesis, and assessing anti-cancer drugs.