Deep super-resolution fluorescence imaging using the second and third biological windows and nonlinear optical effects

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23K25178
• Project/Area Number (Other): 22H03924 (2022-2023)
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund (2024); Single-year Grants (2022-2023)
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 90110:Biomedical engineering-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Yamanaka Masahito 大阪大学, 大学院工学研究科, 特任准教授(常勤) (90648221)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 湯川 博 名古屋大学, 未来社会創造機構, 特任教授 (30634646) ; 新岡 宏彦 九州大学, データ駆動イノベーション推進本部, 教授 (70552074)
• Project Period (FY): 2024-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: 深部観察 / 蛍光 / 近赤外 / 生体窓

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we developed a deep-tissue, high-resolution fluorescence microscope that utilizes near-infrared light and nonlinear optical effects, with the aim of visualizing deep biological tissues at the single-cell level. To maintain spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio in deep tissue imaging, we also introduced an adaptive optics using a deformable mirror and applied deep learning-based image denoising techniques. The system was evaluated using tissue phantoms, mouse brain tissues, and cell spheroids, demonstrating that high-resolution and high-contrast three-dimensional imaging is achievable even in deep regions. Additionally, we developed an integrated system that enables seamless switching between wide-field observation and high-resolution imaging, marking a significant step toward practical application in deep tissue cellular observation.

Free Research Field

応用光工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、近赤外光と非線形な光学効果を活用した深部・高解像蛍光顕微鏡の開発を通じて、生体深部構造を単一細胞レベルで可視化する新たな観察技術を実現した点で、学術的に高い意義を有する。生体深部の高精細観察を可能にすることで、生体深部に関しての基礎理解を加速させるとともに、生体深部観察が必要な研究領域への様々な応用展開も期待される。さらに、AI技術との融合による観察性能の向上は、バイオイメージングの高度化に貢献する。