Researchers from EMBL Heidelberg have combined their expertise to develop a new type of microscope. The revolutionary new light-field microscopy system makes it possible to study fast biological processes, creating up to 200 3D images per second. Initial tests have already delivered new insights into the movement of blood cells in a heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMany important biological processes occur in three dimensions and on millisecond timescales,\u201d says Lars Hufnagel on the rationale for developing the new microscope. Capturing these fast processes is a big challenge in biology. And showing them not only in 2D but in 3D is \u2013 next to the needed high resolution \u2013 the second main aspect of modern microscopy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new light-field microscopy system developed by EMBL group leaders Lars Hufnagel, Robert Prevedel and their teams overcomes both hurdles at once. \u201cOur new method allows us to study processes both in 3D and on timescales of 200 images per second,\u201d says Robert Prevedel. Lars Hufnagel adds: \u201cOn top of that, it delivers up to ten times better, namely truly isotropic, resolution than classic light field microscopy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Previously developed microscopes, mostly based on light-sheet approaches, have also attempted to image fast biological processes but have only achieved much slower speeds than the new technique. As such, they were too slow to see dynamic processes within hearts and neuronal cells.<\/p>\n\n\n