High-Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM) Applications

Mouse and zebrafish embryos are among the most demanding subjects in developmental biology. They require whole-sample 3D context to properly characterise structural phenotypes. HREM captures entire embryos at each developmental stage in a single acquisition run, producing complete volumetric datasets that replace hundreds of histology slides.

Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most widely used genetic model organisms, but 3D phenotypic characterisation of adult or larval flies is poorly served by existing imaging methods. HREM resolves internal anatomy at the resolution needed to detect subtle morphological changes in genetic screens.

Also applicable to other common invertebrate models including C. elegans, beetle larvae, and moth pupae used in evo-devo research.

Traditional HREM relies on block staining of JB-4-embedded tissue to generate contrast, which limits to a single broadband signal. By combining block-face imaging with structured illumination, it becomes possible to acquire specific fluorescence channels from the block face, opening up targeted labelling strategies that standard episcopic microscopy cannot access.

Congenital heart defects are among the most common phenotypes in developmental genetics screens, yet their characterisation by conventional histology is notoriously time-consuming and prone to section loss at critical structures. HREM provides complete 3D cardiac datasets of chambers, valves, septa, and outflow tracts whith-in their correct anatomical context.

Fixed brain tissue imaging represents a growing application area for HREM. Where optical clearing methods require extensive sample preparation and may introduce distortion, HREM on embedded tissue preserves structural integrity across the full sample volume.

Perform block face imaging to create high detail 3D data with resin.

Plant tissue presents unique imaging challenges with complex 3D architecture, soft and hard tissue mixed within the same sample, and structures too large for electron microscopy but requiring more detail than X-ray CT. HREM fills this gap, offering improved soft tissue contrast for plant material at a competetive cost.

Organoids sit in a resolution and size range that suits HREM particularly well, too large and complex for confocal whole-mount imaging once mature, but requiring micron-level detail. HREM produces complete volumetric datasets of embedded organoids, enabling internal architecture assessment that surface imaging cannot achieve.