Background
Bile ducts located in the liver play a crucial role in the delivery of bile, and many liver diseases induce morphological abnormalities within these branching networks. To study these diseases, we must visualize these abnormalities in liver bile duct morphology to better understand disease pathology.
Visualizing abnormalities in liver bile duct morphology, using whole-liver tissue clearing and light sheet imaging, allows us to investigate the complex branching networks of liver bile ducts. This 3D visualization, in combination with bile duct segmentation and quantification, allows for comprehensive insights into morphological changes induced by genetic or pharmacological manipulations.
How We Study Liver Bile Ducts
Liver Bile Duct Imaging and Identification
Translucence Biosystems employs our modified iDISCO+ protocol to render intact samples optically transparent. Combining this technique with an antibody that labels bile ducts facilitates the visualization of the biliary tree in the intact liver. This allows for comprehensive insights into morphological changes induced by genetic or pharmacological manipulations. Biliary tree visualization can also be paired with other epitopes like Smooth Muscle Actin, a marker of vascular smooth muscle cells, to facilitate the visualization of vasculature networks within the liver.
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AI-Powered Quantification
Translucence Biosystems labels and characterizes bile duct morphology, providing insights into liver pathologies and the impact of therapeutic interventions on bile duct architecture.
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Summary
By leveraging light sheet imaging, tissue clearing, and AI-powered quantification pipelines, Translucence Biosystems’ 3D bile duct visualization and quantification work provides comprehensive insights into morphological changes in bile duct networks induced by genetic or pharmacological manipulations.
