Lithuanian scientists will be the first in the Baltic States to apply light sheet microscopy
Advanced imaging technology is a novelty in the entire Baltic region, and such microscope is the only one. Research, which will be carried out using advanced laboratory equipment, will contribute to new scientific discoveries that will help to improve the level of biomedical sciences in Lithuania and bring it closer to European standards.
“Lithuania is taking the lead in the field of biomolecular sciences and the technological equipment in Kaunas is expected to become a pivot not only for research but also for further technological development,” says prof. dr. Vilmantė Borutaitė, chief researcher and the head of the Biochemistry Laboratory of the LSMU Institute of Neuroscience.
Revolutionary speed and detail
The light sheet fluorescence microscope of Internationally recognized German manufacturer Carl Zeiss Microscopy allows life science and biomedical professionals to explore live samples.
A sample stretch is captured by a high-speed digital video camera in a matter of milliseconds and holds millions of pixels, and a set of such stretches is recorded in a matter of seconds. “By using conventional confocal microscopy we can photograph one cell only, whereas this microscope allows us to photograph all the cells in that tissue sample in just a few seconds and gather significantly more information,” the neuroscientist continues.
According to Urtė Neniškytė, faster visualization helps to prevent phototoxicity. Due to the faster imaging, the sample is shorter exposed to laser light, which is intense and toxic to living tissues.
Will help find more effective treatments for cancer
The new microscope will also help researchers of LSMU and other institutions working in the field of regenerative medicine, who are developing methods for biological reconstruction of skin, joints, other organs, and tissues, using adult human tissue stem cells and other methods. Advanced technology will allow wider application of imaging and research methodologies of spatial cellular systems, adapting them to research into the pathogenesis of various diseases. This means opening up new and unique applications for the advancement of biomedical research.
“It is the implementation of innovations in the field of biomedicine that opens new opportunities for Lithuania and creates added value for the entire biomedical research system. We are glad that we were able to offer an innovative solution to Lithuanian researchers that meets world-class standards.” Says Dainius Vasiliauskas, director of Inospectra, a company that provides laboratory and analytical equipment solutions.
Ongoing staff training
The specialists of the company Inospectra took care of the logistics of the new equipment, prepared it for work, and continue to work closely with the scientists, providing operative service. Most importantly, they ensure proper training for workers from a laboratory in the use of advanced technology.
“The first training left a good impression and contributed to the generation of new thoughts and ideas, and at the same time raised new tasks: take over the advantages of this technology at best and use it to the maximum for future research and work,” says Silvija Jankevičiūtė, a researcher at the LSMU Institute of Neuroscience, who, along with other scientists, was the first to test the new light sheet microscope.
Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) together with Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU GMC) is implementing the infrastructure improvement project “Center for Computational, Structural, and Systems Biology – CossyBio”, the total value of which is 6.18 million euros. This project combines and develops state-of-the-art laboratory equipment for the imaging of cellular systems and molecular structures, the monitoring of biomolecular processes, and research in living organisms.
