Advanced 3D Imaging Technology Unveils Detailed Peripheral Nervous System in Mice

A groundbreaking development in biological imaging has enabled scientists to visualize the complex architecture of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) in mice with unprecedented detail. Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, led by Professors Guo-Qiang Bi and Pak-Ming Lau, have created a high-speed, high-resolution 3D imaging system that captures the entire body of small animals at subcellular accuracy. This technology marks a significant leap forward, allowing for comprehensive mapping of nerve networks across the whole organism, which was previously very challenging due to technical limitations.

The team’s innovative approach combines a refined imaging pipeline called blockface-VISoR with a whole-body tissue clearing process, enabling the collection of detailed images of intact, large biological samples. Unlike previous methods that struggled with the mammalian body's size and heterogeneity, this technique uses systematic in situ sectioning and automated stitching algorithms. It captures surface images at shallow depths, reduces light scattering, and reconstructs a complete, high-resolution 3D map of the nervous system within approximately 40 hours—a process generating around 70 terabytes of data per sample.

This technology not only preserves fluorescence signals, allowing for various labeling methods like transgenic, viral, or immunostaining, but also reveals intricate nerve pathways and vascular structures across different organs. The detailed maps include the projection routes of the vagus nerve and the organization of sympathetic nerves and spinal neurons, providing valuable insights into neural regulation and disease mechanisms.

Beyond neuroanatomy, this approach opens new avenues for research in developmental biology, comparative anatomy, and biomedical sciences, offering a versatile tool for studying larger and more complex biological samples. Future improvements aim to enhance multi-channel imaging capabilities and expand applications to other large tissues and organs.

This innovative imaging system paves the way for a deeper understanding of the PNS's organization and function, promising to accelerate discoveries in neuroscience, physiology, and disease research. For more information, refer to the original publication in Cell.