Bioimaging plays a crucial role in life sciences research to help scientists analyze different living organisms' molecules, cells, and tissues. There have been many developments in microscopy techniques and associated tools, but a non-invasive process from a team of engineers gives scientists better visualization to study the internal physiology of a mouse model.
Biomedical and genetic engineers at Duke University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine developed a process that will change the color of the tissue of the mouse in imaging that isolates and removes sources of strong background noise to give better access to image the biological processes within its internal physiology.
What is Photoacoustic Imaging?
Imaging live cells and tissues in 3D yields more accurate information and spatial visualization than a 2D cell culture system, according to a 2020 paper. However, the thickness of 3D cultures also results in a high degree of scattering that makes it hard for light to penetrate and allow bioimaging.
The engineers presented in their study using photoacoustic (PA) imaging that relies on a PA effect generated when exogenous contrast agents absorb light in a medium. By combining high optical contrast with high acoustic spatiotemporal resolution, scientists can create a 3D visualization of cells and tissues without invasive techniques.
As its name suggests, photoacoustic uses both light and sound to capture detailed images of molecules, cells, tissues, and organs inside the body.
Medical Xpress reported that the imaging process sends a burst of laser deep into the tissue to heat cells and causes the expansion to create an ultrasonic wave that shows the structure and composition of the targeted tissues and cells that can be translated into high-resolution images.
PA Imaging Aids Color-Changing Mouse Model
The only downside with PA is that its ultrasound component also introduces background noise problems. Biomedical engineering Assistant Professor Junjie Yao noted that scientists usually have a hard time identifying significant issues due to the background ultrasound signals from flowing blood and drowning everything out.
But Yao and genetics Profesor Vladislav Verkhusha shared that their new genetically engineered mouse model gives researchers an efficient way to isolate and remove the background noise from the ultrasound.
According to a similar report from Science Daily, the team introduced specialized light-sensitive photoreceptors into the cells of the mouse model called BphP1. These photoreceptors are typically found in bacteria used as a light-based research tool because they can be turned on and off when hitting a specific wavelength of light.
Moreover, BphP1 is used in PA imaging because of its ability to bond well with the molecule biliverdin, which appears in high quantities in tissues and blood cells.
They were introduced to the mouse models when the team illuminated the entire animal with a specific wavelength of light. When activated, it creates a color-changing mouse model. When they shined a near-infrared light on the mouse, the B phP1 returned to its silent state. Researchers noted that the change in color could only be observed using photoacoustic imaging.
The new technique also enabled the engineers to see the pregnancy in the mouse model better. They used Pa to identify seven embryos inside the mother from the surrounding blood vessels and maternal organs. The team is now looking forward to expanding the use of new techniques, like studying cancer and immune cells.
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