Summary
Despite the easier use of multiple tissue clearing techniques in recent years, poor access to adequate light-sheet fluorescence microscopy remains a major obstacle for biomedical end users. Here, we propose a solution by developing descSPIM (desktop-equipped SPIM for cleared specimens) as a low-cost ($20,000–50,000), low-expertise (one-day installation by a non-expert), yet practically substantial do-it-yourself light-sheet microscopy. Academically open-sourced (https://github.com/dbsb-juntendo/descSPIM), descSPIM allows routine three-dimensional imaging of cleared samples in minutes.
Competing Interest Statement
E.A.S. is co-inventors on patents and patent applications owned by RIKEN covering the CUBIC reagents, and E.A.S. is employed by CUBICStars Inc. that offers services based on CUBIC technology.
Footnotes
The order of authors was amended.