Tissue Clearing Applications
CLARITY Beyond the Brain
Evaluation of Normal and Diseased Tissues
Learn More About Tissue Clearing
- Tissue Clearing Methods Compared
- CLARITY Tissue Clearing Primer
- CLARITY Breast Cancer Study
- Moving Beyond Slices and Slides
Supporting Your Research Application
Applications of Tissue
Clearing Beyond the Brain
Tissue clearing methods exist to allow for deep tissue imaging. There has been a long history of tissue clearing with many advancements designed to promote particular applications. Of the three main tissue clearing techniques, solvent-based, aqueous-based, and hydrogel embedded, ClearLight has developed expertise in the latter, in particular using the CLARITY protocol. ClearLight has broadened the applicability of the CLARITY method to a wide range of tissues—from the brain to bone.
Normal and Diseased Tissues
We've worked with several biological samples of varying lipidity and complexity and increased our ability to visualize cellular and subcellular structure giving researchers the ability to See More Biology. Chances are, ClearLight has worked with the tissue types useful to your research. ClearLight has evaluated numerous normal and diseased tissues. Our scientists continue to push the envelope of tissue clearing applications.
A Note About Confidentiality
Clients who work with us know that we treat their precious samples, images and videos, and data with the utmost respect and confidentiality. In some cases where we have applied CLARITY to a particular tissue type, we are unable to show specific images or videos. Sometimes this is due to an ongoing study or forthcoming publication. In these cases, we still wish for preclinical researchers to understand that we have applied the CLARITY protocol to a particular tissue type. In those cases, we show a generic icon. Know that when you work with our Lab Services we will treat your precious samples and data with confidentiality, too.
Brain Tissue
CLARITY was the first technique to allow researchers to examine brain structures without disassembling them.
Lung and Lymph Nodes
ClearLight has applied CLARITY to lung carcinomas, healthy lung, and associated lymph nodes.
Skin Samples
The largest organ in the body reveals complex structures when cleared, immunolabeled, and 3D imaged.
Calcified Tissues
Calcified tissues present their own set of challenges. When you work with us you gain the benefit of our internal experiments with bone and teeth.
Kidney Tissue
By clearing whole adult mouse kidneys and imaging in 3D, researchers can gain new insights into kidney structure and function.
Human Tonsil
ClearLight has studied the tonsil using the CLARITY method and analyzed using proprietary AI-based software on 3D volumes of tissue.
Breast Cancer
ClearLight has extensive expertise in three-dimensional imaging and quantitative analysis of CLARITY processed breast cancer tissues.
Human Pancreas
We image intact organs to visualize the tissue and tumor microenvironment without reliance on sectioning and image reconstruction.
Organoids
ClearLight has applied CLARITY to a range of organoids. This area holds much promise for understanding drug responses and disease models.
Eye
ClearLight can clear and stain eyes while retaining their shape and internal structures for 3-dimensional analysis.
| Applicable Tissues for Kit Type | |
|---|---|
| High Lipid Kit | Low Lipid Kit |
| Embryo | Lung Tissue |
| Brain Tissue | Kidney Tissue |
| Lymph Nodes | Skin Samples |
| Calcified Tissues (Bone) | Cancer (Breast, Lung, etc) |
| Tonsil | Pancreas |
| Organoids | Liver |
| Eye | Intestine |
| Cell Pellet | Muscle |
| Spinal Cord | Heart |
| Spleen | |
| Bladder | |
Other Tissue Clearing Applications
CLARITY Tissue Clearing is still a relatively new science and there’s so much left to discover. Collaborate with ClearLight to find out how far we can take CLARITY tissue clearing, 3D IHC, and novel use and unique applications for CLARITY tissue cleared samples.
Don't See Your Tissue or Biomarker?
If you require tissue processing for a tissue not shown above a feasibility study may be the next step. We may need to perform antibody feasibility and optimization. We're happy to test your preferred commercial antibody for CLARITY compatibility.
Leverage our Internal R & D
When you work with us you gain the benefit of our internal experiments, assessments, and rigorous testing. In addition to performing our lab services: CLARITY Tissue Clearing, 3D IHC, and Tru3D Tissue Analysis, ClearLight scientists perform internal Research and Development to advance our understanding and applications of CLARITY to other tissue types and downstream applications. Researchers who work with us benefit from this exploratory work. The ClearLight “lab basement” is full of failed or pivoted experiments that helped inform our path to arrive at what does work. Work with us to avoid making the same mistakes that we have made or going down the blind alleys that we’ve pivoted away from.
“If you don’t want to spend the time figuring it out, we can help. We work hard to make this look easy.” - Dr. Sharla White, VP of Research and Development
Ready to Discuss Your Research Question? Meet with our Application Scientist.
FAQs
Services
We currently perform non-destructive tissue processing to facilitate pre-clinical research studies.
See Sample Requirements on the Services page. We may support situations not shown. Start a conversation with us using the Contact Us form, email, call (408) 329-7769 or chat with us online.
Technology
The value of tissue clearing comes from utilizing samples that are thick enough to be affected by light-scatter, so usually they would be more than 200 microns in thickness. That being said, we have done some work with other samples that have come very close to the lower end of that thickness and have good success in applying our technology. We recommend a brief chat with our Science Team to assess your fit if you are still unsure.
CLARITY Protocol Primer
Visit the CLARITY tissue clearing page to learn the background and specific steps in the CLARITY Tissue Clearing process and to better understand the tissue processing workflow.
ClearLight Lab Services
ClearLight Biotechnologies lab services include tissue clearing using the CLARITY method, 3D immunostaining, 3D imaging (multiplexed fluorescence), and Tru3D tissue analysis.
Optimized Antibodies
ClearLight has many optimized antibodies ready to use with CLARITY and 3D IHC to move your research forward. A feasibility study for new antibodies is available.
