# Light-Sheet Fluorescence Microscope

> **NIH NIH S10** · UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $477,301

## Abstract

Project Summary
The biology of multicellular organisms is coordinated across multiple size scales, from the sub-nanoscale of
molecules to the macroscale, to tissue-wide interconnectivity of cell populations in complex tissues, organs, and
organisms. Using new, state-of-the-art light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) and optical clearing
(CLARITY) of tissues, current animal models of development, dysfunction, and disease can be appreciated with
innovative insights gained only when microscopic analyses (individual cells) are observed and analyzed over
macroscopic distances (intact tissues, organs, organisms). This proposal represents a shared request from
various NIH-funded researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and surrounding research
institutions (Creighton University, Boys Town National Research Hospital) to obtain funding for imaging, tissue
processing, and data integration equipment, the Miltenyi UltraMicroscope II, X-Clarity Tissue Hydrogel
Polymerization and Clearing System, and data integration workstation not currently available in Nebraska. This
type of micro- to macro-scale imaging is of paramount importance for the diverse array of animal studies
conducted by cancer biologists, neuroscientists, cell biologists, physiologists, and developmental biologists at
UNMC and surrounding institutions. Of the many basic, translational and clinical research centers and programs
at UNMC, this proposal will principally serve three focus areas, 1) Cancer (Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer
Center), 2) Neuroscience (Center for Integrative and Translational Neuroscience), and 3) Preclinical drug
development and discovery (multiple basic, translational, and clinical researchers aligned with affiliated
Nebraska Medicine Hospital and clinics). The proposed instrument cluster led by Dr. Jensen Smith (19 years of
biomedical imaging experience) with oversight provided by an advisory committee consisting of Directors of
affiliated imaging cores, will provide a robust opportunity to support the strong user base of 17 NIH-funded
researchers. We have combined the foundational elements for developing a novel, holistic/multimodal imaging
pipeline at UNMC merging structural/anatomical data (MRI, SPECT/CT, Ultrasound, LSFM) with functional and
molecular data (intravital optical imaging, photo-acoustics, multiphoton and advanced microscopy) to expand
and elevate the rigor of ongoing studies using animal models to understand human disease. In addition to strong
user support and demand, the current proposal has strong institutional, inter- and intra-institutional support. As
part of a multimodal continuum of animal imaging technologies, the UltraMicroscope II and associated equipment
will provide powerful perspectives of various biological phenomena thereby accelerating translational studies
aimed at prevention and treatment of human diseases including, neurological function/dysfunction, cancer, and
drug development/discovery.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10177034
- **Project number:** 1S10OD030486-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Heather Colleen Jensen-Smith
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $477,301
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10177034

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10177034, Light-Sheet Fluorescence Microscope (1S10OD030486-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10177034. Licensed CC0.

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