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CLARITY: Cutting Edge Microscopy for Brain Imaging

Topic

  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • Biotechnology
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Nervous & Endocrine Systems

Resource Type

  • Videos
  • Clips

Level

High School — AP/IBCollege

Duration

00:01:17
Saved By
1 Users
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Description

This video shows a technique used to obtain detailed images of nerve cells by fluorescent microscopy.

Neurobiologist Christopher Walsh describes a microscopy technique called CLARITY that makes it easier to see cells and structures inside the brain. This technique involves labeling neurons using fluorescent proteins and then treating brain tissue with acrylamide to make the tissue more transparent. Walsh also shows a 3D animation of the cortex that was created using CLARITY.

This clip is from a 2013 Holiday Lecture Series, Medicine in the Genomic Era.

Key Terms

confocal microscopy, laboratory technique, method, neuron, neuroscience

Primary Literature

Chung, Kwanghun, Jenelle Wallace, Sung-Yon Kim, Sandhiya Kalyanasundaram, Aaron S. Andalman, Thomas J. Davidson, Julie J. Mirzabekov, et al. "Structural and molecular interrogation of intact biological systems." Nature 497, 7449 (2013): 332–337. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature12107.

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Version History

Date Published 04.30.14

Materials

HD (MP4) 19.8 MB
HD (WMV) 39.6 MB
SD (MP4) 10.7 MB
SD (WMV) 10.2 MB

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