# Cleared Tissue Large FOV Microscope Request

> **NIH NIH S10** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $308,440

## Abstract

This application requests funds to purchase a Miltenyi UltraMicroscope Blaze fluorescence light sheet
microscope, to be included in the existing Integrated Cellular Imaging Core (ICIC). The primary goal of the ICIC
is to provide investigators at Emory and surrounding Georgia institutions access to cutting edge light-based
microscope technology, services, and expertise. This open shared resource has assisted 207 NIH grants held
by 142 investigators in the last 5 FYs. Within the facility, the UltraMicroscope Blaze will be used to study an
open and broad range of applications that bridge the gap from molecular level fluorescence specificity to systems
level distributions and connectivity. Tissue clearing and light sheet imaging technology provide a high 3D
resolution (~1 µm) across samples as large as 10 cm. From molecular level hormone distributions in neurological
studies that span regions of an entire spiny mouse brain hemisphere (Kelly), to metastasis sites and their
corresponding tumor microenvironments in whole mouse oncology (Lesinski), this relatively new microscopy
technique provides a more complete picture than ever before. Further applications include 3D printing and bio
fabrication investigations with direct clinical application for heart disease and brain development (Serpooshan),
ophthalmological studies of retinal pigment epithelium cells and neurosensory connectivity in macular
degeneration (Nickerson), 3D remodeling of intrahepatic bile ducts in liver injury (Gracz), and a combination of
3D pathology with single cell RNA transcriptomics in human intestine (Kugathasan). These case studies
represent a small subset of the vast interest on Emory campus, and highlight the diversity and collaborative
nature between institutions. An Emory/Georgia State University collaborating case study truly exemplifies the
broad impact attainable from length scales encompassed by this light sheet microscope, detailing how novel
molecular level metastatic regulators can be utilized in both MRI and fluorescence light sheet imaging, providing
a unique, comprehensive, and longitudinal view of the key determinants of liver metastasis (Yang, GSU). The
Miltenyi Blaze combines a unique balance of ease of use, flexibility, speed, together with the largest viable
samples, thus providing researchers with expedited answers to their disease related longitudinal questions. This
microscope will be managed as part of the facilities under the same stringent policies to ensure optimal usage
and minimize downtime. The shared resources at Emory have a strong commitment marked by the largest set
of core facility suites on Emory campus, housed in the soon to be completed 2nd Health Science Research
Building (HSRB II), and the ICIC has a strong financial commitment from the School of Medicine and Winship
Cancer Institute, including deficit coverage and supporting purchase funds. We feel the Miltenyi Blaze is an
essential tool for addressing both current and future research ne...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10429884
- **Project number:** 1S10OD032320-01
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Adam I. Marcus
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $308,440
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10429884

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10429884, Cleared Tissue Large FOV Microscope Request (1S10OD032320-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10429884. Licensed CC0.

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