OpenSPIM - an open access platform for light sheet microscopy

Light sheet microscopy promises to revolutionize developmental biology by enabling live in toto imaging of entire embryos with minimal phototoxicity. We present detailed instructions for building a compact and customizable Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy (SPIM) system. The integrated OpenSPIM hardware and software platform is shared with the scientific community through a public website, thereby making light sheet microscopy accessible for widespread use and optimization to various applications.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, 6 supplementary videos, submitted to Nature Methods, associated public website http://openspim.or

Innovations in light sheet microscopy: Strategies and new applications

Over the past 10 years, light sheet microscopy (or selective plane illumination microscopy, SPIM) has transformed the microscopy field, offering a faster, less phototoxic technique than conventional methods that can create true 3-D images. Ideal for observing living organisms and the cellular dynamics of biological systems, this method uses a unique illumination approach to achieve high penetration depths, fast imaging speeds, and subcellular-level resolution. Because a specimen is illuminated with a sheet of light rather than a focused laser beam, only regions directly exposed to light will fluoresce—creating minimal photo-induced tissue damage. In this webinar, the speakers will discuss their own uses of light sheet microscopy and provide insight into its different applications, including open source SPIM and the dynamic behavior of subcellular components within live specimens.</jats:p