Transparent body does boost research – New Technology

     The mouse made clear, for example, the kidney are examined in detail. Photo: Cell, Yang et al
     

Translucent bodies where organs and nerve cells emerge in 3d. U.S. scientists have developed the technology that will reveal everything from nerve fibers in the brain to the difference between healthy and diseased organs.

The translucent mouse on the picture looks to be made of plastic. In fact, the after death processed using a technique, developed under the leadership of Viviana Gradinaru at U.S. Caltech. With it you can look directly into the mouse’s body and study the translucent bodies. But not only that, but also the network of thin nerve fibers revealed. For once the bodies are transparent, they can be studied using different methods and standard microscope.

method may pave the way for new ways to diagnose diseases such as new treatments for everything from Parkinson’s to autism.

-With technology it is possible to look through an organism and find exactly the cells or axon you want to study – but who today have to slice up and put together the different sections. It frees up time to find answers to the really big questions, says Viviana Gradinaru in a press release.

The key to success is the chemicals that remove the fat that sits around the cells. To the chemicals will reach out everywhere they pumped around through the bloodstream in the dead mouse’s body. Needed before the skin is removed.

Researchers will now use the method to identify the nervous system. The results, they hope to be able to help patients who need to have electrodes implanted in the brain to treat Parkinson or severe pain.

The technology has also been applied to tissue samples from humans, including skin cancer, according to researchers for the magazine New Scientist.

method to create translucent bodies described in the scientific journal Cell.