Exploring precise structural and functional imaging of the brain is one of the main focuses of modern brain science. CD BioSciences is committed to providing our clients with new technologies such as in vivo high-resolution optical imaging with a large range and deep penetration to achieve structural and functional imaging of the whole brain.

Introduction

Due to the high structural complexity of the brain and nerves, the research on the brain and nerves includes different levels such as molecules (atoms), synapses, processes, cells and systems. The complexity of the object of study increases exponentially with each level. However, brain functions are not generated by individual neurons or single brain regions. Therefore, the study of complex brain neural networks at the whole-brain level is one of the important research goals of modern brain science.

Whole-brain imaging techniques can be divided into two major categories: structural and functional. Structural techniques produce images of the anatomical structures of the brain, while functional techniques produce images that emphasize the neural processes that underlie neural activity. Traditional techniques are unable to resolve the paradox of protrusion-level discrimination and whole-brain detection. In the last decade, new high-resolution biophysical techniques such as optical microscopy have been developed, offering the possibility of obtaining fine structures of brain tissue.

Fig.1 Correlations and activity patterns across brain regions. (Ahrens, 2013)

Our Services

We are committed to developing new technologies for high-throughput 3D structural and functional imaging and sample processing, as well as new methods for image data processing and analysis to provide efficient whole-brain imaging services to our clients.

• Structural brain imaging

• Rapid quantitative analysis of neuronal types, connections and activity in different biological whole brains at cellular level resolution.
• Ultramicroscopic resolution and quantitative characterization of subcellular structures such as neurosynapses.
• Distinguishes between proteins and carbohydrates (cell bodies), fat (axon tracts), and salt water (CSF), and uses this contrast to reveal information about brain architecture.

• Functional brain imaging

• Analysis of the activity of all neurons in the central nervous system over time.
• Assessment of the spatio-temporal parameters of neuronal responses.
• Analysis of the correlation between neural activity in specific anatomical regions and behavioral or cognitive functions by combining with structural brain imaging techniques.

Our Technologies

The techniques we provide include but are not limited to:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
• Chemical sectioning fluorescence tomography (CSFT)
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
• Single-proton emission computerized tomography (SPECT)
• Functional ultrasound imaging
• Two-photon light-sheet microscopy

CD BioSciences offers a wide range of biophysical techniques to provide whole-brain imaging services to our clients. If you would like more details, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

1. Ahrens, M. B.; et al. Whole-brain functional imaging at cellular resolution using light-sheet microscopy. Nature methods. 2013, 10(5): 413-420.

• Detection of Neurotransmitters
• Analysis of Neurotransmitter Release
• Electrophysiological Measurements of Neurons
• Analysis of Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity
• Analysis of 3D Neural Morphology
• Visualization of Neural Activity
• Structural and Functional Analysis of Neural Circuits
• Biophysical Modeling of Neural Systems