3D Scanning Imaging of Brain Neural Networks: High-Precision Motion Stages Enhancing Accuracy and Efficiency

The brain is the pinnacle of biological evolution, and deciphering its working mechanisms is one of humanity's ultimate aspirations. To date, however, scientists have yet to reveal the fundamental mechanisms underlying brain functions such as memory, thought, and consciousness. The limited understanding of brain structure and function also hampers the development of effective drugs and therapies for brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

The mammalian brain is a highly complex network consisting of millions to billions of densely interconnected neurons. The cell bodies of neurons, arterioles, and venules are only several tens of micrometres in diameter, capillaries are only a few micrometres in diameter, and dendrites and axonal fibres are 1 μm or less in diameter.

In previous studies, researchers classified brain neurons into different types based on cellular morphology, electrophysiological characteristics, neuronal projections, and combinations of expressed molecules and transcriptomic profiles. These different types of neurons are distributed across distinct cortical layers and perform diverse functions.

A more direct and effective research approach is to map the three-dimensional fine structures of neural circuits and vascular networks across the entire brain at the mesoscopic scale. This would provide critical structural information for understanding the brain and is a crucial prerequisite for elucidating the operational mechanisms of brain functions. Producing a complete brain cell distribution atlas would propel neuroscience research to an entirely new level, and has thus become a key battleground for neuroscientists worldwide.

The Micro-Optical Sectioning Tomography (MOST) system, invented by Professor Luo Qingming's team at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, is a whole-brain imaging system based on mechanical sectioning. This system uses an imaging system to image the sample surface, while a microtome removes the surface tissue of the plastic-embedded sample. By continuously imaging new surfaces, the system ultimately acquires a complete mouse brain dataset with axial resolution of 1 μm.

For fluorescently labelled samples, Professor Luo's team developed a series of fluorescence MOST (fMOST) systems, including single-photon fMOST, two-photon fMOST, and the brain-wide positioning system (BPS) based on structured illumination. Among these, the single-photon fMOST and two-photon fMOST systems employ point-scanning imaging, which requires long imaging times. The BPS system uses structured illumination for faster imaging, with sectioning and imaging performed separately; it uses a mercury lamp as the light source, enabling rapid, high-resolution whole-brain imaging. This system is capable of not only imaging at the neural circuit level but also acquiring fine neuronal morphology.

Coretech has many years of application experience in the medical equipment industry, particularly in neural network scanning imaging technology. A variety of product combinations can meet the needs of different users. Over many years of deployment, the company has not only accumulated extensive application experience but has also earned a strong reputation.

ART130 Series Linear Stage

• As a small-step stepping axis, the cross-roller bearing stage offers excellent motion and settling times.

• High-density position-triggered camera capture at 5 nm intervals ensures high-resolution, distortion-free images.

• Flexible travel configuration options provide abundant product choices for different sample sizes.

• Nanometre-level in-position stability enables sub-micrometre probe density precise positioning and printed layer resolution.

• Stage cutoff frequency >100 Hz enables fast motion and settling.