3D Tissue Imaging and Analysis Services

Tissues are typically characterized by preparing thin tissue sections, staining with histological stains or immunohistochemistry, and visualization via brightfield or fluorescent microscopy. While this has been the gold standard for over a century, this approach has significant shortcomings when it comes to analyzing complex and heterogeneous tissue structures such as tumors, the brain, or blood vessel networks. As a metaphor, imagine trying to diagnose the problem with the engine of a car if you only had a cross section to work with. In order to analyze complex structures using the traditional histology paradigm, costly and time-consuming serial sectioning must be conducted, or else using stereological techniques to calculate inferential aspects about the whole tissue structure.

Instead, imaging thick tissue specimens and whole-mounts in 3D through the use of tissue clearing, fluorescent labeling and confocal or light sheet microscopy allows for tissues to be characterized intact in their entirety. By pairing tissue clearing with molecular probes or immunolabeling, select biomarkers, cells, and regions can be reconstructed in 3D for analysis. To visualize and characterize these complex features, Visikol has a portfolio of patented tissue clearing reagents, tissue processing techniques and the purpose-built 3Screen image analysis software tools. Visikol was the first company founded to utilize tissue clearing and 3D imaging for research. We are experts that have been working in this space since 2012, and have worked on countless projects with hundreds of universities, biotech companies, and pharmaceutical companies.

Discuss your project

Before we begin a new project, we discuss in detail with our clients to understand fully the scope and desired endpoints. Our scientists will work closely with you to identify the best approach for labeling, imaging, and data analysis, so that you can be sure you will get the data you need.

Send us your tissues

Ship your fixed samples to our facilities using any carrier. Once we receive the samples, we’ll let you know and we’ll begin the project.

Validated immunolabeling for 3D

At Visikol, we have developed a methodological approach to optimizing deep antibody labeling such that we can achieve uniform labeling across thick tissues while preserving histological integrity. We select only antibodies validated for immunohistochemistry, and we validate each antibody for whole mount immunolabeling. If your project requires an antibody we haven’t used before, we will optimize the conditions required to maximize the quality of results before beginning your project.

Tissue clearing approach

At Visikol, we have developed the patented Visikol HISTO tissue clearing technique for rendering tissues transparent. This technique is easy-to-use, preserves tissue integrity, morphology, and histology, and is compatible with molecular probes and immunolabeling, as well as fluorescent proteins. Most importantly, Visikol HISTO is rapid and requires no specialized equipment. Clearing with Visikol HISTO is a reversible process, so after obtaining 3D image data, the clearing can be reversed, and the tissue sample restored to its original state for further analyses.

3D imaging

While many publications detail whole mouse brain imaging and other large tissue volumes imaged intact, this is often impractical to address specific research questions. Preparing tissues into 1-2 mm sections dramatically reduces labeling time and simplifies the imaging process, significantly reducing costs. This sample workflow enables us to provide an unprecedented level of 3D tissue imaging throughput to our Clients. On request, we can accommodate larger tissues, utilizing immersion objectives, light sheet microscopy and other imaging modalities though if a specific research question requires them.

Quantitative image analysis

While some of our Clients require only raw data files from our imaging services, we also offer 3D image analysis services using our purpose-built 3Screen™ platform to analyze and quantify 3D image sets. Instead of processing these data sets as Z projections, we process the entire tissue volume. This makes it possible to evaluate each cell within a tissue on an individual basis, making to possible to, for example, quantify cell types or biomarker expression, quantify the co-localization of multiple biomarkers, map blood vessel networks, examine the distribution of cells within and outside of solid tumors, and many other quantitative endpoints.

To get a better sense of what is possible with a 3D imaging approach, explore some of the examples of projects we have conducted for clients in the past.

Example applications of tissue imaging