Technology Summary

This invention allows for the non-invasive, rapid generation of three-dimensional (3D), multi-colored images of tissues and optically opaque organisms (e.g. zebrafish) through the use of two or more heavy-metal X-ray dyes.The major advantage of this invention is that it allows for visualization of two or more X-ray dyes in the same tissue. Previous methods cannot differentiate between signals from multiple X-ray dyes in the same tissue, andare labor-intensive and imprecise. This method is fast, requires no cutting of tissue sections, and allows for the generation of high-resolution (1-2 µm), multi-colored 3D reconstructions. Use of multiple stains allows for identification of specific cell types within the sample. Rapid identification of cells can be used to phenotype whole opaque organisms.