Two-Photon Microscopy

Two-photon microscopy enables the observation of cells and structures in the deep tissues of living organisms. Our team has extensive user experience with advanced microscopy systems. The laboratory employs an improved cranial thinning technique, which allows for long-term observation of neuronal morphology in the brains of live mice without inducing inflammation. Using this technique, we can reconstruct the morphology of fluorescently labeled neurons beneath the cerebral cortex in 3D. Additionally, it facilitates continuous and dynamic imaging of  dendrites and synapses over several weeks, or even up to a month.

 

​We applied this technique to study a mouse model of myotonic dystrophy and discovered that the absence of the critical gene MBNL2 during brain development affects the development of dendritic spines in cortical neurons. Changes in the dynamic balance of dendritic spine density can impact cognitive and memory functions in the brain. This research has helped us further elucidate the potential pathogenic mechanisms and brain phenotypes of patients with myotonic dystrophy. These findings were published in 《Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology》 in 2023 and were selected as the cover story for that issue.