Altair-dvOPM: an open-access platform for large-field three-dimensional tissue imaging

Area of Science:

• Microscopy and Imaging Technologies
• Biotechnology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Traditional microscopy methods face limitations in imaging large, cleared, or expanded biological samples with high resolution.
• There is a need for accessible, versatile imaging systems capable of capturing 3D information across multiple scales.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce Altair-dvOPM, an open-access direct-view oblique plane microscope.
• To demonstrate its capability for large-field, high-resolution 3D imaging of cleared and expanded tissue sections.

Main Methods:

• The system utilizes photographic-lens-based detection and externally launched oblique illumination.
• Precision-registered modular baseplates ensure stability and ease of use.
• Open-source software facilitates system control and replication.

Main Results:

• Achieved micrometer-scale lateral resolution over a ~5.4 mm field of view.
• Successfully imaged subcellular structures in expanded cells and centimeter-scale tissue sections.
• Demonstrated the system's versatility across different biological scales.

Conclusions:

• Altair-dvOPM offers a robust and accessible solution for large-volume 3D tissue imaging.
• The open-access nature and provided resources encourage further development and adoption.
• This technology advances capabilities in biological sample visualization and analysis.