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Mikami, H.

Publications and source records attributed to Mikami, H..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Image-scanning light-sheet microscopy for high-speed volumetric imaging of complex biological dynamics

Volumetric fluorescence microscopy is a powerful method for studying complex biological systems because it enables comprehensive observation of structural and physiological dynamics. In particular, light-sheet microscopy (LSM) is a leading option for real-time volumetric fluorescence imaging as it combines high imaging speed, low phototoxicity, minimal photobleaching, high spatiotemporal resolution, and low computational burden. To capture fast biological events, various efforts have been made to improve the imaging speed of volumetric fluorescence microscopy, including LSM. However, existing approaches entail significant trade-offs that make routine volumetric imaging at and beyond video rates challenging under practical conditions. Here, we introduce image-scanning LSM, a method that substantially increases the volumetric imaging speed achievable with LSM while preserving key performance metrics, such as spatial resolution and photon efficiency, as well as accessibility. Our implementation, termed image-scanning oblique plane (ISOP) microscopy, enables volumetric fluorescence imaging at up to 1,000 volumes per second with submicrometer lateral spatial resolution. We demonstrate the broad utility of ISOP microscopy by recording and analyzing the dynamics of behaving and rapidly moving organisms.

bioengineering↗

Virtual-freezing fluorescence imaging flow cytometry

By virtue of the combined merits of flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, imaging flow cytometry (IFC) has become an established tool for cell analysis in diverse biomedical fields such as cancer biology, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and stem cell biology. However, the performance and utility of IFC are severely limited by the fundamental trade-off between throughput, sensitivity, and spatial resolution. For example, at high flow speed (i.e., high throughput), the integration time of the image sensor becomes short, resulting in reduced sensitivity or pixel resolution. Here we present an optomechanical imaging method that overcomes the trade-off by virtually "freezing" the motion of flowing cells on the image sensor to effectively achieve 1,000 times longer exposure time for microscopy-grade fluorescence image acquisition. Consequently, it enables high-throughput IFC of single cells at >10,000 cells/s without sacrificing sensitivity and spatial resolution. The availability of numerous information-rich fluorescence cell images allows high-dimensional statistical analysis and accurate classification with deep learning, as evidenced by our demonstration of unique applications in hematology and microbiology.

cell biology↗

GWAS identifies nine nephrolithiasis susceptibility loci related with metabolic and crystallization pathways

Nephrolithiasis is a common urological trait disorder with acute pain. Although previous studies have identified various genetic variations associated with nephrolithiasis, the host genetic factors remain largely unidentified. To identify novel nephrolithiasis loci in the Japanese population, we performed large-scale GWAS (Genome wide association study) using 11,130 cases and 187,639 controls, followed by a replication analysis using 2,289 cases and 3,817 controls. The analysis identified 14 significant loci, including 9 novel loci on 2p23.2-3, 6p21.2, 6p12.3, 6q23.2, 16p12.3, 16q12.2, 17q23.2, 19p13.12, and 20q13.2. Interestingly, 10 of the 14 regions showed a significant association with any of 16 quantitative traits, including metabolic, kidney-related, and electrolyte traits, suggesting a common genetic background among nephrolithiasis patients and these quantitative traits. Four novel loci are related to the metabolic pathway, while the remaining 10 loci are associated with the crystallization pathway. Our findings demonstrate the crucial roles of genetic variations in the development of nephrolithiasis.\n\nSIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTNephrolithiasis is a common urothelial disorders with frequent recurrence rate, but its genetic background is largely remained unidentified. Previous GWAS identified 6 genetic factors in total. Here we performed a GWAS using more than 200,000 samples in the Japanese populations, and identified 14 significant loci and nine of them are novel. We also found that 10 of the 14 loci showed a significant association with any of 16 quantitative traits, including metabolic, kidney-related, and electrolyte traits (BMI, eGFR, UA, Ca etc). All 14 significant loci are associate with either metabolic or crystallization pathways. Thus, our findings elucidated the underlying molecular pathogenesis of nephrolithiasis.

genetics↗