Microscopes are optimized to give the clearest images, taking great care of all optical components along the light path. This has lead to a situation where the transition between a live sample and the surrounding liquid becomes the biggest imperfection in the optical path.

In this MPI-CBG/MPI-PKS/CSBD collaboration, lead by Tobias Boothe from the Rink lab, we show a simple but highly effective procedure to minimize the optical imperfection at the sample/medium interface. The technique is based on OptiPrep (chemical name: iodixanol), which can be ordered and used in any biological laboratory without any unusual equipment. Our technique worked with no toxicity or other problems in whole animals, primary cells, cell lines, as well as organoids.
Find our paper online with eLife.
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