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Updated: Jul 17, 2025
09:11
Nanoscopic Imaging of Human Tissue Sections via Physical and Isotropic Expansion
Published on: September 25, 2019
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MicroMagnify: A Multiplexed Expansion Microscopy Method for Pathogens and Infected Tissues.
Zhangyu Cheng1, Caroline Stefani2, Thomas Skillman3
1Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|September 2, 2023
Summary
MicroMagnify (µMagnify) enhances nanoscale imaging of pathogens and infected tissues by enabling high-plex fluorescence imaging with up to eightfold expansion. This novel method aids in understanding host-microbe interactions and developing new diagnostic strategies for infectious diseases.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Optical Imaging
- Pathogen Research
Background:
- Super-resolution microscopy is vital for microbial studies but limited for pathogens and infected tissues.
- Existing methods struggle with detailed nanoscale imaging of complex biological samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a nanoscale multiplexed imaging method for pathogens and infected tissues.
- To improve the visualization of microbial structures and host-pathogen interactions.
Main Methods:
- MicroMagnify (µMagnify) utilizes expansion microscopy with a universal biomolecular anchor.
- Combines heat denaturation and enzyme cocktails for robust cell wall digestion and tissue expansion.
- Enables high-plex fluorescence imaging with nanoscale precision.
Main Results:
- Achieved up to eightfold expansion on diverse samples: bacterial/fungal biofilms, infected cells, and human/mouse tissues.
- µMagnify retains biomolecules for detailed imaging without distortion.
- Developed an associated virtual reality tool for immersive 3D image visualization and collaboration.
Conclusions:
- µMagnify is a powerful imaging platform for studying microbe-host interactions.
- This method facilitates the development of novel diagnostic strategies for infectious diseases.
- Enables advanced research in microbiology and pathology.
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