# Zeiss Lightsheet Upgrade to Expand Imaging Capabilities

> **NIH NIH S10** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $163,481

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Lightsheet microscopy offers distinct capability advantages for the imaging of live intact
biological samples and optically cleared fixed samples. Rapid 3D optical sectioning with little
photodamage enables lightsheet systems to excel at the imaging of large organs or whole
embryos. The Zeiss Lightsheet Z.1 upgrades we propose in this application for higher refractive
index clearing solutions, larger sample chambers and longer working distance, larger field of
view objectives will transform researchers’ capabilities to collect images of larger samples such
as cleared whole mouse brain or cleared whole mouse embryos. The availability of the upgrade
hardware and software for our Zeiss lightsheet system would enhance many projects
investigating fundamental developmental biology and human disease models. The current
instrument is housed in a Duke School of Medicine building within the Light Microscopy Core
Facility space. The upgrade parts would be installed onto to the Zeiss system which has been in
operation for 3.5 years. In addition to the major and minor users’ research described here, the
system and the upgrades would serve the entire research base at Duke University and Medical
School where the impact and use would be widespread. The user group has experience with
lightsheet imaging and sample preparation for the Zeiss system at Duke, along with other forms
located at other institutions. The general high-levels of imaging expertise and specific
experience with the Zeiss lightsheet are well placed to immediately and effectively implement
this upgrade equipment to expand the Zeiss lightsheet system for an important array of basic
research. These upgrades proposed will significantly contribute to new research capabilities
related to NIH funded developmental biology, neuroscience, and cell biology questions relevant
to human disorders as outlined in the research statement.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10176288
- **Project number:** 1S10OD030243-01
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Lisa A. Cameron
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $163,481
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-06-01 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10176288

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10176288, Zeiss Lightsheet Upgrade to Expand Imaging Capabilities (1S10OD030243-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10176288. Licensed CC0.

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