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Nikon Corporation today announced the LS-X Light Sheet Unit, designed to capture clear images within three-dimensional specimens, from living organoids and embryos to cleared samples and specimens prepared using expansion microscopy. Built around Nikon’s ECLIPSE Ti2-E inverted research microscope, the LS-X supports a wide range of magnifications and research workflows, including gentle live imaging. Phased availability is scheduled to begin from November 30, 2026, with a gradual launch across worldwide regions through Nikon and its local distributors.

Organoids are three-dimensional cell cultures that reproduce selected features of human tissues. They are increasingly important in drug discovery and regenerative medicine, where researchers use them to investigate biological processes and disease. Organoids derived from patient cells also offer opportunities to study differences between individuals and support the development of personalized approaches to treatment.

These models change over time. Following their development and internal activity requires imaging methods that can reveal detail within a specimen while preserving its viability throughout an experiment.

Other approaches help researchers examine the organization of biological structures in prepared samples. Tissue clearing reduces light scattering, while expansion microscopy physically enlarges specimens to make fine structures easier to resolve. Together, these applications create a need for flexible imaging across different specimen preparations and scales.

Light sheet microscopy addresses this need by illuminating a thin plane within the specimen and capturing the resulting fluorescence with a camera. Restricting excitation to the region being imaged helps reduce background and unnecessary light exposure. The LS-X brings this approach to Nikon’s inverted microscope platform, with automated alignment and dedicated sample chambers designed to simplify preparation.
 

*Availability dates may vary by region.

1. Clear imaging within three-dimensional specimens 

The LS-X illuminates specimens from two sides to support imaging within living samples, cleared specimens, and samples prepared using expansion microscopy. By concentrating excitation around the plane being observed, light sheet illumination reduces out-of-focus background and helps reveal structures within the specimen.
 

2. Gentle Live Imaging for Delicate Specimens  

Selective illumination helps reduce light exposure during repeated imaging, supporting time-lapse studies of living specimens. The LS-X also supports near-infrared excitation.

A dedicated LS-X incubator manufactured by Tokai Hit Co., Ltd. supports extended live-imaging experiments.

3. A wide range of magnifications and imaging techniques 

The LS-X supports a wide range of magnifications, allowing researchers to move from broader views of a specimen to closer examination of selected structures. This flexibility supports imaging across different sample sizes and research needs.

The flexibility of the ECLIPSE Ti2-E base platform also enables workflows using various microscopy techniques, including light sheet, confocal, and epifluorescence imaging. Researchers can select complementary methods within a shared microscope platform. For compatible existing Ti2-E systems, the LS-X offers a way to add light sheet imaging to an established microscopy platform.
 

4. Simpler preparation and alignment 

Nikon’s NIS-Elements imaging software is designed to automate the optical alignment required for light sheet microscopy, reducing manual setup.

Dedicated LS-X multi-chamber slides support workflows from cell culture and embedding through imaging without transferring the specimen to another vessel. The chambers are designed for light sheet imaging and also support confocal and epifluorescence microscopy, helping researchers use complementary methods with the same sample.

“Researchers study biology at many scales, from changes in living three-dimensional models to fine structures within prepared specimens,” said Haruhisa Sonoda, Head of Nikon’s Healthcare Business Unit. “The LS-X brings light sheet imaging to the flexible Ti2-E platform, giving researchers more ways to approach these questions. We want to help them spend less time preparing the microscope and more time investigating the biology. Nikon will continue to draw on its optical and microscopy expertise to support advances in life science research, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine.”