Reference

Fay, M. G., Lang, P. J., Denu, D. S., et al. (2026). ClearScope: A Fully Integrated Light-Sheet Theta Microscope for Sub-Micron-Resolution Imaging Without Lateral Size Constraints. Journal of Imaging. https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging12030118

Background

Three-dimensional imaging of intact organs and large tissue samples is critical for studying neural connectivity and structural changes in neurological disorders. While light sheet microscopy has become a leading tool for imaging cleared tissues, conventional systems face a fundamental limitation: the orthogonal arrangement of illumination and detection optics constrains the lateral size of specimens that can be imaged — making it impossible to capture intact large rodent brains or human tissue sections in their entirety.

About ClearScope

ClearScope is based on light sheet theta microscopy (LSTM), a technology developed by Professor Raju Tomer and colleagues at Columbia University. Unlike traditional light sheet systems, LSTM uses two oblique illumination paths paired with perpendicular detection optics — enabling imaging of specimens with effectively unconstrained lateral dimensions while maintaining subcellular resolution.

Part of our broader light sheet microscopy platform – built to push the boundaries of 3D imaging

ClearScope is a technological cousin to SLICE, MBF Bioscience’s newest light sheet microscope system. Together they reflect our commitment to expanding the boundaries of 3D biological imaging — from connectomics and systems neuroscience to vascular biology, cancer biology, and organoid research.

We’re grateful to our collaborators at Columbia University and NYU Langone Health for their partnership in this work.

The post Breaking the size barrier: ClearScope light sheet microscope paper published in Journal of Imaging appeared first on MBF Bioscience.

Modern imaging devices can produce data sets sized in the TBs. For example, our cutting edge ClearScope light sheet theta microscope allows researchers to image large intact tissue specimens in 3D with subcellular resolution, and generates gigabytes or even terabytes of data per experiment.

We’ve been working diligently to engineer solutions for the amazingly increased image sizes in image data collection. We have developed and recently released new high-performance technology that addresses the three main pillars of working with big data: managing, viewing, and analyzing big data.

Specifically, we’ve greatly improved the efficiency of our image handling and processing algorithms. Over the last two years, we’ve massively upgraded our core imaging technologies. Our new imaging engine makes viewing and processing the massive files generated by current imaging tools orders of magnitude more efficient.

A quote that highlights the amazing progress we’ve made in the big data realm comes from Peter Lang of our Technical Sales team. He says, “Huge data sets that used to take 45-minutes or more to load, now take about five-seconds to open. File size doesn’t really matter anymore”. These improvements also mean that image processing tasks like automated cell detection now take minutes instead of hours. This new imaging technology is included in all of our latest software offerings.

Our recent image handling and processing improvements fit perfectly with Biolucida, our cloud-based platform for storing, viewing, and accessing big image data. Biolucida lets researchers view and access large data sets from a web browser or any MBF Bioscience analysis software from anywhere with internet access. Big data doesn’t need to be copied around; it can be kept and accessed at one secure location.

Imaging technologies continue to advance, and data sets will get larger and larger. MBF Bioscience is ready. “Microscopic image data image will soon include Z-stacks comprised of tens-of-thousands of planes for characterizing whole organs at high resolution. Our software engineering team has created a format and architecture that’s ready for efficiently storing, viewing and analyzing these truly huge images.” said MBF Bioscience Product Manager Nate O’Connor. “We’re so excited to be ahead of the curve on not just big data acquisition, but also on being able to manage, view, and analyze it.”

The post MBF Bioscience Solves Your Big Data Challenges appeared first on MBF Bioscience.

Williston, VT (December 10, 2020) — The ability to image large, intact biological specimens is about to get a whole lot better. Developed in collaboration with Columbia University, MBF Bioscience’s revolutionary light sheet theta microscope system, ClearScope®, has the ability to image whole tissue quickly and gently, in high resolution 3D.  

The ClearScope system features a unique, two-axis scanning mode that goes beyond the capabilities of typical light sheet microscopy. The patent pending design ensures the specimen is constantly illuminated using the thinnest section of the light sheet optimizing axial resolution. Shadow effects and uneven illumination, which hindered analysis in the past, are eliminated by the new technology, so that even the smallest subcellular structures within the tissue can be visualized with precision.  

Compatible with a range of tissue clearing techniques, including CLARITY, iDISCO, uDISCO, SeeDB and Sca/e, ClearScope has the ability to capture the details of very thick, very large specimens, such as intact tissue from human and primate brains. President and co-founder of MBF Bioscience, Jack Glaser says, “With low photo-bleaching, fast imaging speed, and high image quality, ClearScope is the most advanced tissue-imaging system in development today, and is set to revolutionize brain research.” 

Designed to work with a wide range of cleared specimens, the system is completely customizable and easily adapted to address the specific needs of researchers across a variety of disciplines.  

If you are interested in learning more about MBF Bioscience’s advanced new system for imaging large tissue specimens, visit: https://www.mbfbioscience.com/clearscope  

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About MBF Bioscience: MBF Bioscience integrates the world’s leading microscope systems with our revolutionary quantitative imaging and visualization software to accelerate research in the fields of: stereology, neuron and microvasculature reconstruction, vascular analysis, worm tracking, brain mapping and big image data management in medical research and education. 

Since 1988, MBF Bioscience has forged a rich history of creating innovative products to empower biological researchers with the quantitative analysis tools they need to obtain accurate, unbiased results. With offices in North America, Europe, Japan, and South Korea, MBF Bioscience has helped researchers across the globe publish over 15,000 peer-reviewed papers in peer reviewed journals. MBF Bioscience partners with the NIH and distinguished scientists across the world to continue their commitment to neuroscience research with their software technology, and also in the fields of stem cells, pulmonology, oncology, and toxicology. For more information visit www.mbfbioscience.com or follow MBF Bioscience on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. 

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Media Contact: 

Pasang Sherpa 
Marketing Manager 
1-802-288-9290 
pasang@mbfbioscience.com 

The post MBF Bioscience Release ClearScope, Revolutionary Light Sheet Microscope for Imaging Large and Small Cleared Tissue Specimens appeared first on MBF Bioscience.

Williston, VT (February 04, 2020) — MBF Bioscience’s revolutionary light sheet microscope system, ClearScope, sets a new standard for microscopic imaging.

The new decade is poised to bring about incredible scientific innovations, and MBF Bioscience is leading the charge in 2020 with the creation of the “light sheet theta microscope” system, ClearScope.

MBF Bioscience secured exclusive license from Columbia University to develop the light sheet theta microscope technology invented by Dr. Raju Tomer. This patent-pending technology in ClearScope leap frogs a number of inherent limitations of other light sheet microscopes. ClearScope will be commercially released this year.

ClearScope performs high-resolution, 3D imaging of intact, cleared specimens that are larger than any other light sheet microscope is capable of imaging. The technology permits fast imaging speed, high- quality imaging and low photo-bleaching. With the exclusive dual, oblique light sheets providing homogeneous illumination, MBF Bioscience has created a microscope system superior to all existing commercial light sheet microscopes. It is compatible with tissue clearing techniques including CLARITY, uDISCO, SeeDB, Scale and Binaree.

President and co-founder of MBF Bioscience, Jack Glaser says, “Dr. Tomer’s, revolutionary design of light sheet theta microscopy, and the new capabilities it provides, will have a dramatic impact in scientific research. We are excited to bring this technology to market in ClearScope. ”

Dr. Raju Tomer, assistant professor of biological sciences at Columbia University says, “I am very excited about the licensing of our light sheet theta microscope technology to MBF Bioscience for developing a robust and user-friendly ClearScope product. This technology has clear potential to revolutionize high-resolution, quantitative imaging of very large cleared samples. It will also be a valuable instrument for dynamic imaging of live specimens. I think MBF Bioscience, with its extensive expertise in neuroscience imaging and data analytics, is a natural partner to take it beyond a lab instrument stage, to benefit the scientific community at large.”

With the ability to image cleared tissue of virtually any XY size, ClearScope has the ability to completely revolutionize the way researchers image and collect data of tissue specimens. ClearScope image data can be analyzed with MBF’s flagship software solutions, Neurolucida 360, Vesselucida 360 and Stereo Investigator.

To learn more about ClearScope visit: www.mbfbioscience.com/clearscope

About MBF Bioscience: MBF Bioscience integrates the world’s leading microscope systems with our revolutionary quantitative imaging and visualization software to accelerate research in the fields of: stereology, neuron and microvasculature reconstruction, vascular analysis, worm tracking, brain mapping and big image data management in medical research and education.

Since 1988, MBF Bioscience has forged a rich history of creating innovative products to empower biological researchers with the quantitative analysis tools they need to obtain accurate, unbiased results. With offices in North America, Europe, Japan, and South Korea, MBF Bioscience has helped researchers across the globe publish over 15,000 peer-reviewed papers in peer reviewed journals. MBF Bioscience partners with the NIH and distinguished scientists across the world to continue their commitment to neuroscience research with their software technology, and also in the fields of stem cells, pulmonology, oncology, and toxicology. For more information visit www.mbfbioscience.com or follow MBF Bioscience on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or compete in our image contest at www.neuroart.com

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Media Contact:
Pasang Sherpa
Marketing Manager
1-802-288-9290/ pasang@mbfbioscience.com

The post MBF Bioscience Secures Exclusive License from Columbia University to Create New Light-Sheet Microscope System appeared first on MBF Bioscience.