Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopes

Light sheet fluorescent microscopes (LSFM) are powerful imaging instruments capable of rapidly imaging three-dimensional structures with minimal photodamage, making them suitable for many biological applications. LSFM applies a thin sheet of light to illuminate the sample from the side, while the detection optics are positioned perpendicular to the light sheet. The light sheet is scanned across the sample to rapidly capture a series of optical sections, which are then reconstructed into a 3D image. LSFM can handle a variety of sample types, such as cleared 3D samples, organoids, tissue sections, biopsies, tumors, whole organs, embryos, and larvae. It is ideal for high-resolution 3D imaging of large and structurally complex samples, such as whole organs and animal models. This versatility makes LSFM useful in many research areas, including neuroscience, immuno-oncology, and developmental biology.