Scientists render living animal tissue transparent because making living tissue transparent allows researchers to observe biological processes, blood vessels, and organs in real-time without invasive surgery. This could greatly enhance medical imaging, biological research, and our understanding of how the body functions.
| Date | September 5, 2024 |
| Source | University of Texas at Dallas |
| Summary | In a groundbreaking study, researchers have successfully made the skin on the skulls and abdomens of live mice transparent by applying a solution containing water and a common yellow food dye known as tartrazine. |
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How scientists render living animal tissue transparent
Dr. Zihao Ou, assistant professor of physics at The University of Texas at Dallas, led the study, which was published in the September 6 issue of Science. While conducting the research as a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, Ou and his colleagues explored the properties of living skin, which typically scatters light, making it opaque. ‘We combined tartrazine, a light-absorbing molecule, with skin, which scatters light. Together, they created transparency,’ explained Ou, who joined UT Dallas in August.
The effect occurs because dissolving the dye in water changes the solution’s refractive index to match that of skin components, reducing light scattering similar to how fog dissipates. In their experiments, the solution was rubbed onto the mice’s skin, and after the dye diffused, the skin became transparent. The process is reversible, with the dye eventually metabolized and excreted naturally.
Within minutes, researchers were able to observe blood vessels on the brain’s surface and internal organs through the transparent skin. The treated areas took on an orange hue due to the use of FD&C Yellow #5, a food-grade dye found in common snacks. ‘The dye is safe, inexpensive, and highly efficient,’ said Ou.
Although the method has not been tested on humans, whose skin is thicker than that of mice, Ou sees potential applications in medicine. ‘Ultrasound is the current go-to for viewing inside the body, but this technique could offer a more accessible alternative,’ he noted.
One immediate benefit of the technology could be its impact on optical imaging research, where it could revolutionize how live tissue is studied. Ou plans to continue this work at his Dynamic Bio-imaging Lab at UT Dallas, exploring dosages for human tissue and testing other materials that may outperform tartrazine.
The study, co-authored by Stanford researchers and funded by grants from federal agencies, has led to a patent application for the technology.”
FAQ:
1. What is living animal tissue?
Living animal tissue refers to the biological material made up of cells and extracellular components that make up the structure of an animal’s body. This includes skin, muscles, organs, and connective tissues that are alive and functioning.
2. Can living animal tissue be made transparent?
Yes, recent studies have shown that living animal tissue can be made transparent through special treatments. For example, researchers have used a mixture of water and the yellow food dye tartrazine to make the skin of live mice transparent, allowing a clear view of the tissue and organs beneath.
3. How does the process of making tissue transparent work?
The process involves applying a solution containing light-absorbing molecules, like tartrazine, to the tissue. The solution changes the refractive index of the tissue, reducing the way light is scattered. This makes the tissue appear transparent, similar to how fog dissipates and becomes clear.