Innovative Imaging Technique for Bone Marrow Could Transform Drug Development and Treatment Strategies

Scientists at Indiana University School of Medicine have introduced an advanced imaging method that enables detailed visualization of bone marrow in mouse models. This breakthrough addresses longstanding challenges associated with imaging this complex tissue, which is encased within hard bone and plays a crucial role in blood cell formation, immune response, and housing stem cells. The new approach utilizes the multiplex imaging tool Phenocycler 2.0, allowing researchers to detect a record 25 cellular markers simultaneously within intact bone marrow tissue—an achievement far surpassing conventional methods that typically analyze only a few markers at a time.

Traditional techniques like flow cytometry require tissue disruption, which limits spatial understanding, and standard fluorescence imaging is confined to a maximum of three markers. In contrast, this novel methodology preserves tissue integrity and offers a comprehensive cellular landscape, providing better insights into disease mechanisms such as leukemia, autoimmune disorders, and other bone marrow-related conditions.

While Phenocycler 2.0 has been previously applied to organs like the spleen and kidney, this is the first successful implementation in mouse bone marrow by the IU Cooperative Center of Excellence in Hematology. The researchers believe this technique will significantly advance the study of human diseases using mouse models and could facilitate the development of targeted therapies.

The team is working on expanding the marker panel further to include features such as bone structures, nerves, muscles, and various immune and signaling cells. The IU Innovation and Commercialization Office has filed a provisional patent on this methodology to protect the innovation.

This promising development underscores the potential for more detailed and accurate research into bone marrow diseases and opens new avenues for drug discovery and therapeutic interventions.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-bone-marrow-imaging-technique-pave.html