- Optical Projection Tomography (OPT) is a powerful imaging technique used to acquire detailed three-dimensional (3D) representations of biological samples, particularly small and transparent specimens such as embryos, tissues, or entire organs.
- The method is analogous to X-ray computed tomography but uses visible light instead of ionizing radiation, making it especially suitable for imaging live or delicate samples without causing damage.
- In OPT, the sample is typically embedded in a transparent medium and mounted on a rotating stage. The specimen is illuminated from different angles with a light source, often using fluorescent or transmitted light depending on the contrast mechanism. As the sample rotates, a series of two-dimensional (2D) projection images are captured at each angular position using a camera. These projections contain information about the internal structure of the sample from multiple viewpoints.
- The collected projection images are then processed computationally with algorithms similar to those used in traditional tomography, such as filtered back-projection. This reconstruction process converts the 2D projections into a volumetric 3D dataset, allowing researchers to visualize and analyze the internal morphology and spatial distribution of specific features within the sample.
- OPT’s ability to generate high-resolution 3D images makes it valuable in developmental biology, enabling detailed studies of embryogenesis, tissue architecture, and cellular organization in small specimens. Its non-destructive nature and compatibility with fluorescent labeling further enhance its applications in biological research.
