Madelynn Isbrecht
Research Mentor(s): Dawen Cai
Mentor Department: Cell and Developmental Biology; Biophysics; Neuroscience Graduate Program
Authors: Madelynn Isbrecht, Mou-Chi Cheng, Dawen Cai
Session: Session 1 (9:00am – 9:50am)
Presentation Type: Oral
Abstract
Tissue clearing and labeling techniques are essential for high-resolution imaging of complex biological structures such as the brain. This study presents an optimized protocol for hydrogel-based tissue stabilization, lipid removal, and immunostaining in both mouse and human brain samples. Cross-linking and hydrogel embedding preserve molecular integrity while enabling effective permeabilization and clearing. A lipase-based clearing approach enhances lipid removal without excessive tissue distortion, followed by immunostaining to visualize neuronal structures with high specificity. This protocol allows for deep-tissue imaging using advanced microscopy techniques, providing a reliable and scalable approach for studying brain architecture in health and disease.
