Internal examination
Researchers led by Dr Timothy Mohun at the MRC National Institute for Medical Research have developed a new optical imaging technique that allows rapid and accurate 3-D analysis of internal tissue structure. They detect fluorescence from the exposed surfaces of multiple thin slices cut from samples embedded in wax, to build up a 3-D image of the sample. The method is a simple and quick way to record tissue or embryo structure and to identifying changes caused by the action or malfunction of genes. This is essential to assess animal models of human disease and has potential applications in diagnosis and research into new drugs and treatments.
Nature Genetics 2002; 30: 59-65