Cellular resolution macro analysis tools for functional and structural brain imaging

Research Project

Project/Area Number	21K12665
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Allocation Type	Multi-year Fund
Section	一般
Review Section	Basic Section 90110:Biomedical engineering-related
Research Institution	Hiroshima University
Principal Investigator	KASARAGOD DEEPAKAMATH (カサラゴッドデイーパカマス) 広島大学, 医系科学研究科(医), 助教 (40773908)
Project Period (FY)	2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
Project Status	Granted (Fiscal Year 2022)
Budget Amount *help	¥4,160,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥960,000) Fiscal Year 2023: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000) Fiscal Year 2022: ¥1,690,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000) Fiscal Year 2021: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
Keywords	optical imaging / 3d brain imaging / fluorescence microscopy / neuroinformatics / brain imaging / fluorescence microscope / 3D imaging
Outline of Research at the Start	The research focus is to: 1. Establish 3-dimensional microscopy using novel deep ultraviolet fluorescence microscopy for volumetric analysis of brain structures in normal and diseased models 2. Develop open microscopy and open data toolkit to be put in the public domain for general purpose use.
Outline of Annual Research Achievements	The purpose of the proposed research was to develop open source microscopy tools for 3D brain imaging using novel light source for fluorescence microscopy in the deep ultraviolet spectrum. In FY2021, a prototypical fluorescence microscope for automated serial slicing and high resolution widefield block-face imaging across the whole brain or tissue block of interest was successfully developed. A manuscript submitted on the technical aspects is currently in second phase of revision. In FY2022, the applications for quantitative analysis was carried out on normal mouse brains. The study is running smoothly as expected.
Current Status of Research Progress	Current Status of Research Progress 2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned. Reason In FY2022, tools for quantitative analysis of the cytoarchitecture of the mouse brains was developed using the microscope developed. A technical paper is under final phase of revision to be considered for publication. Further applications of functional imaging are under consideration.
Strategy for Future Research Activity	The plans for the phase3 (FY2023) of the 3-dimensional (3D) fluorescence microscopy for brain imaging are as follows: In FY2023, the chief focus would be consolidate all 3D microscopy based tools developed using deep ultraviolet microscope to be put into the open domain as the ‘Do-It-Yourself’ 3D microscope for micro-macro analysis so as to enable smaller neuroscience labs with minimal resources to set-up their own version of 3D microscope for a community based approach towards elucidating brain connectivity.