Several methods have been developed to achieve tissue clarity. One common approach involves the use of clearing agents that render the tissue transparent. These agents work by matching the refractive index of the tissue with that of the surrounding medium, thereby reducing light scattering. Some widely used clearing agents include:
- CLARITY: This method involves the removal of lipids from the tissue, which are replaced with a hydrogel matrix to maintain structural integrity. - CUBIC: This technique uses a combination of chemicals to make the tissue transparent while preserving fluorescent signals. - iDISCO: This method employs organic solvents to clear tissues, making them suitable for immunolabeling and imaging.
