I'm using the kit to clear a mouse brain, and I'm hoping to take images after the clearing step. Question: If I were to take the image by using a light sheet microscope, which one would you recommend? Zeiss Lightsheet 7? or something else?
We have evaluated numerous light sheet microscopes and found the Bruker Luxendo MuVi SPIM light sheet was the best to meet our needs. With our particular configuration we are able to image samples from 2-8X and from 10-40X. It is possible that another light sheet could be sufficient for your needs; however, we chose one that allowed us flexibility for imaging.
Do you mind sharing the protocol? I've tried using a Bruker lightsheet to image an x-clarity cleared mouse transgenic brain but didn't have much luck since the brain didn't clear all the way. Thanks!
jburrell Our protocol is specific to our lightsheet that has been modified for our particular needs, so that will not be as helpfully as you think. I am familiar with the issues that can arise from trying to clear a whole mouse brain using X-CLARITY. I can tell you that trying to image any uncleared or partially cleared tissue with a lightsheet is the biggest issue and challenge here. Because the lightsheet must pass through the entire sample you will not be able to prevent the light-scattering that is occurring. You would be better off trying to image the partially cleared tissue using a confocal microscope. Essentially the bar necessary for imaging "cleared" tissues is different on the confocal and slightly lower since the image acquisition is different.
