Seeing samples in 3-D may speed medical diagnosis
An innovative form of microscopy called optical projection tomography (OPT) can be used to scan small biological specimens such as tissue samples or embryos and construct three-dimensional images. Invented by scientist James Sharpe at the MRC Human Genetics Unit, the technology has many potential applications for clinical practice, such as speeding up and improving the accuracy of medical diagnosis when examining tissue samples removed from patients’ bodies. OPT also provides a fast way of visualising the influence of particular genes during embryo development.
In 2005, MRC Technology, which translates scientific advances into healthcare products and technologies, commissioned the design and manufacture of a prototype machine to begin the process of making OPT scanners commercially available. It is offering scientists a sample-scanning service using the technology in the meantime.
Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering 2004; 6: 209-28