Real-time volumetric microscopy of in vivo dynamics and large-scale samples with SCAPE 2.0

Nat Methods. 2019 Oct;16(10):1054-1062. doi: 10.1038/s41592-019-0579-4. Epub 2019 Sep 27.

Abstract

The limited per-pixel bandwidth of most microscopy methods requires compromises between field of view, sampling density and imaging speed. This limitation constrains studies involving complex motion or fast cellular signaling, and presents a major bottleneck for high-throughput structural imaging. Here, we combine high-speed intensified camera technology with a versatile, reconfigurable and dramatically improved Swept, Confocally Aligned Planar Excitation (SCAPE) microscope design that can achieve high-resolution volumetric imaging at over 300 volumes per second and over 1.2 GHz pixel rates. We demonstrate near-isotropic sampling in freely moving Caenorhabditis elegans, and analyze real-time blood flow and calcium dynamics in the beating zebrafish heart. The same system also permits high-throughput structural imaging of mounted, intact, cleared and expanded samples. SCAPE 2.0's significantly lower photodamage compared to point-scanning techniques is also confirmed. Our results demonstrate that SCAPE 2.0 is a powerful, yet accessible imaging platform for myriad emerging high-speed dynamic and high-throughput volumetric microscopy applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Heart / embryology
  • Heart / physiology
  • Microscopy / methods*
  • Photons
  • Zebrafish / embryology
  • Zebrafish / metabolism
  • Zebrafish / physiology

Substances

  • Calcium