Neuroscience Image Gallery

Exploring structure and function of nervous system at a cellular level with Leica Microsystems instruments

Virally labeled neurons (red) and astrocytes (green) in a cortical spheroid derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. THUNDER Model Organism Imagerwith a 2x 0.15 NA objective at 3.4x zoomwas used to produce this 425 μm Z-stack (26 positions), which is presented here as an Extended Depth of Field(EDoF)projection. THUNDER_Imager_Model-Org_Header-Gallery-Neuroscience.jpg

Neuroscience commonly uses microscopy to study the nervous system’s function and understand neurodegenerative diseases.

Neuroscience Images taken with THUNDER Imagers

See how THUNDER Imagers can help imaging cortical region of the human brain, Alzheimer’s plaques and D2 dopamine expression in mouse brain, neural spheroids and crest cells, cranial nerve development, axon regeneration, brain function after injury, disease, or aging.

Mouse brain cortex

Mouse brain cortex displaying 500 nm green fluorescent beads in perivascular space. Blood vessels are stained with WGA lectin conjugated with Alexa 594 fluorophore. Sample courtesy of PhD Mika Kaakinen and M.Sc. Abhishek Singh, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Finland. Sample imaged by Janne Ylärinne, PhD, Immuno Diagnostic Oy.
Mouse brain cortex displaying 500 nm green fluorescent beads in perivascular space. Blood vessels are stained with WGA lectin conjugated with Alexa 594 fluorophore. Sample courtesy of PhD Mika Kaakinen and M.Sc. Abhishek Singh, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Finland. Sample imaged by Janne Ylärinne, PhD, Immuno Diagnostic Oy.

Virally labeled neuron

Virally labeled neurons (red) and astrocytes (green) in a cortical spheroid derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. THUNDER Model Organism Imagerwith a 2x 0.15 NA objective at 3.4x zoomwas used to produce this 425 μm Z-stack (26 positions), which is presented here as an Extended Depth of Field (EDoF) projection. The THUNDER Imager Model Organism offers the ability to freely zoom, for easy observation of whole spheres, and distinct regions, for easy screening. Images courtesy of Dr. Fikri Birey from the Dr. Sergiu Pasca laboratory, CA, USA.
Virally labeled neurons (red) and astrocytes (green) in a cortical spheroid derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. THUNDER Model Organism Imagerwith a 2x 0.15 NA objective at 3.4x zoomwas used to produce this 425 μm Z-stack (26 positions), which is presented here as an Extended Depth of Field (EDoF) projection. The THUNDER Imager Model Organism offers the ability to freely zoom, for easy observation of whole spheres, and distinct regions, for easy screening. Images courtesy of Dr. Fikri Birey from the Dr. Sergiu Pasca laboratory, CA, USA.

Mouse brain

Dr Ashok K. Shetty labat Texas A&M University (TAMU) is interested in developing clinically applicable strategies that are efficacious for enhancing brain function after injury, disease, or aging. One of the central areas is developing clinically feasible strategies for improving hippocampal neurogenesis and memory and mood function in aging and Alzheimer’s disease models via stimulation of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells in neurogenic regions of the brain using drugs and biologics. Lab member Dr Maheedhar Kodali’s latest project is to check expression of AMPK in Microglia (IBA-1+) to know the effects of their investigating compound in aging.

These images show mouse brain expressing of AMPK (red) in Microglia (IBA-1+, green). The images were captured on a THUNDER Imager 3D Cell Culture with a 40x/1.30 oil objective. Both images represent maximum intensity projection of a z stack of 28 planes -total 27um thickness. The image on the left is the raw epifluorescence image, the right is the THUNDER-processed image with LVCC algorithm. Image courtesy of Dr. Maheedhar Kodali, Texas A&M University.
These images show mouse brain expressing of AMPK (red) in Microglia (IBA-1+, green). The images were captured on a THUNDER Imager 3D Cell Culture with a 40x/1.30 oil objective. Both images represent maximum intensity projection of a z stack of 28 planes -total 27um thickness. The image on the left is the raw epifluorescence image, the right is the THUNDER-processed image with LVCC algorithm. Image courtesy of Dr. Maheedhar Kodali, Texas A&M University.

Microglia in hippocampal region

Immunostaining of wild type mouse showing hippocampus CAB region. Staining: Microglia cells (green), Neurons (magenta), Nuclei (cyan). Image courtesy of Jenny Luna-Choconta, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.

Cortical neurons

Cortical neurons cultured in microfluidic chamber for 10 days. Fixation with PFA 4%. Immunofluorescence Tubulin alpha (green), Tau (red), DAPI (blue). Image courtesy of Wei Wang, USA.
Cortical neurons cultured in microfluidic chamber for 10 days. Fixation with PFA 4%. Immunofluorescence Tubulin alpha (green), Tau (red), DAPI (blue). Image courtesy of Wei Wang, USA.

Mouse Brain 1 mm Blood Vessels and nuclei CUBIC

1 mm mouse brain section. CUBIC cleared. Stainded blood vessels and nuclei. Video courtesy of Prof. Xiaowei Li, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.

Mouse embryonic kidney

Mouse embryonic kidney at day 12.5. E-Cadherin (red), unspecific (green). Sample prepared by MSc Kristen Kurtzeborn and used courtesy of Prof. Satu Kuure, Kidney Development group, University of Helsinki, Finland. Sample imaged by Janne Ylärinne, PhD, Immuno Diagnostic Oy.
Mouse embryonic kidney at day 12.5. E-Cadherin (red), unspecific (green). Sample prepared by MSc Kristen Kurtzeborn and used courtesy of Prof. Satu Kuure, Kidney Development group, University of Helsinki, Finland. Sample imaged by Janne Ylärinne, PhD, Immuno Diagnostic Oy.

Mouse cortical neuron

Mouse cortical neuron. Transgenic GFP (green). Image courtesy of Prof. Hui Guo, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, China.
Mouse cortical neuron. Transgenic GFP (green). Image courtesy of Prof. Hui Guo, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, China.

Adult rat brain

Adult rat brain. Neurons (Alexa Fluor488, green), Astrocytes (GFAP, red), Nuclei (DAPI, blue). Image courtesy of Prof. En Xu, Institute of Neurosciences and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China.
Adult rat brain. Neurons (Alexa Fluor488, green), Astrocytes (GFAP, red), Nuclei (DAPI, blue). Image courtesy of Prof. En Xu, Institute of Neurosciences and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China.

Uncleared human brain organoid

Uncleared human brain organoid. Nucleus (DAPI), Pevimentin (AF488), Dcx (AF568),Pax6 (AF647). Image courtesy by Attria Kavyanifar, M.Sc. (supervised by Prof. Dr. Lie, Prof. Dr. Wiener) University Clinic Erlangen, Germany.

Neuroscience Images taken with STELLARIS confocal platform

Neuroscience studies require a variety of confocal imaging techniques to allow the study of the nervous system. For example, Multiphoton and light sheet techniques allow the study of large and deep tissues,  such as brain sections; STED super-resolution is key to address neuronal spines structure, synaptic plasticity, and protein interactions at the synapse level. Fluorescence lifetime imaging can report on microenvironment changes in calcium and pH.

Multicolor Deep In Vivo Imaging to uncover the interplay of various players in neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are usually caused by a combination of different factors. Being able to visualize multiple players at once greatly helps to investigate and understand how different compoonents interact and influence each other. To do this, a microscope that combines deep tissue penetration with spectral flexibility to enable multicolor imaging liek STELLARIS 8 DIVE is the best choice.

Live Mouse Brain cortex
Live Mouse Brain cortex: Astrocytes labeled with Sulforhodamine (blue); Microglia labeled with GFP (green), Neurons labeled with YFP (yellow) and bood vessels labeled with Alexa680-Dextran (red). Sample courtesy of LMF, DZNE, Germany 

Multicolor Deep In Vivo Imaging to uncover the interplay of various players in neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are usually caused by a combination of different factors. Being able to visualize multiple players at once greatly helps to investigate and understand how different compoonents interact and influence each other. To do this, microscope that combines deep tissue penetration with spectral flexibility to enable multicolor imaging like STELLARIS 8 DIVE is the best choice.

Live Mouse Brain cortex: Microglia labeled with GFP (green), Neurons labeled with YFP (yellow) and bood vessels labeled with Alexa680-Dextran (red). Sample courtesy of LMF, DZNE, Germany

Tile scan overview of an unstained paraffin section of an adult Drosophila brain

STELLARIS confocal platform

Tile scan overview of an unstained paraffin section of an adult Drosophila brain.
Tile scan overview of an unstained paraffin section of an adult Drosophila brain. Single channel acquisition of endogenous fluorescence showing intensity image (left) and TauContrast image (right). TauContrast image shows different arrival times for endogenous signals in various parts of the brain. Courtesy of Tong-Wey Koh, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory.

Detail view from a tile scan of an unstained paraffin section of an adult Drosophila brain

STELLARIS confocal platform

Detail view from a tile scan of an unstained paraffin section of an adult Drosophila brain
Detail view from a tile scan of an unstained paraffin section of an adult Drosophila brain. Single channel acquisition of endogenous fluorescence showing intensity image (left) and TauContrast image (right). TauContrast image shows different arrival times for endogenous signals in various parts of the brain. Courtesy of Tong-Wey Koh, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory.

Related Pages

Interested to know more?

Talk to our experts. We are happy to answer all your questions and concerns.

Contact Us

Do you prefer personal consulting?

  • Leica Microsystems Inc.
    1700 Leider Lane
    Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 United States
    Office Phone : +1 800 248 0123
    Service Phone : 1 800 248 0223
    Fax : +1 847-236-3009
    Routeplanner (google maps)

You will find a more detailed list of local contacts here.