Abstract: Provided is a biological specimen holder for positioning multiple specimens for imaging by a light-sheet microscope. The specimen holder allows developing plant embryos, small intact animals, or organs to be imaged in the light-sheet microscope in a single setting. The specimen holders significantly improve the imaging conditions with respect to the standard glass capillary system. Also provided is a semi-automatic image processing pipeline that quantifies cell divisions of plants imaged with both the glass capillary and the novel chambers. Plants imaged using the specimen holder undergo cell divisions for a period at least 16 times longer than those imaged with a glass capillary system and allow increased sample throughput and the option of incorporating light emitting diode (LED) lights to generate a light-controlled environment are also advantages.

Abstract: Provided is a biological specimen holder for positioning multiple specimens for imaging by a light-sheet microscope. The specimen holder allows developing plant embryos, small intact animals, or organs to be imaged in the light-sheet microscope in a single setting. The specimen holders significantly improve the imaging conditions with respect to the standard glass capillary system. Also provided is a semi-automatic image processing pipeline that quantifies cell divisions of plants imaged with both the glass capillary and the novel chambers. Plants imaged using the specimen holder undergo cell divisions for a period at least 16 times longer than those imaged with a glass capillary system and allow increased sample throughput and the option of incorporating light emitting diode (LED) lights to generate a light-controlled environment are also advantages.