A hybrid open-top light-sheet microscope for multi-scale imaging of cleared tissues

Abstract

Light-sheet microscopy has emerged as the preferred means for high-throughput volumetric imaging of cleared tissues. However, there is a need for a user-friendly system that can address imaging applications with varied requirements in terms of resolution (mesoscopic to sub-micrometer), sample geometry (size, shape, and number), and compatibility with tissue-clearing protocols and sample holders of various refractive indices. We present a hybrid system that combines a novel non-orthogonal dual-objective and conventional (orthogonal) open-top light-sheet architecture for versatile multi-scale volumetric imaging.