Imaging of Large Tissues

To obtain a holistic image of the molecular mechanisms in the cells, for example inflammatory responses or rejection reactions after transplantation, it is necessary to analyse biological structures from the level of the entire organ down to the nano level. For this purpose, researchers on the »Imaging of Large Tissues« project are developing a workflow to combine the various microscopy imaging methods and analytical, mass spectrometry methods. This approach facilitates more comprehensive, more precise and more resource-conserving analyses of biological and clinical samples.

The project’s objective is to obtain from one and the same sample more information on the cellular composition and the functional interactions. This is essential to achieve a more precise diagnosis or to identify therapeutic targets. The techniques employed such as light sheet fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy and mass spectrometry make it possible to examine tissue ranging from the level of entire organs and individual cells right down to molecular structures. This would not be technically feasible using each technique individually; only by combining all the above methods does it become possible to examine simultaneously the various orders of magnitude of which tissue is composed – and to understand the interaction between anatomy and functioning.

Insights into cellular mechanisms in rejection reactions of transplanted organs

For the research project, the researchers are trialling the workflow using murine (from mice) and human kidneys. The samples originate from the Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery at the Charité University Hospital in Berlin.

To date, the cellular mechanisms that lead to rejection reactions of transplanted organs have been poorly understood. Even the influence of how the organ is transported (refrigerated, perfused, stored at 37 °C body temperature) is still unclear. The »Imaging of Large Tissues« project therefore also aims to uncover the inflammatory mechanisms underlying the rejection reactions after kidney transplants. In this way, the researchers intend to identify approaches to treat rejection reactions as well as diagnostic parameters to assess whether an organ is suitable for transplant.