iDISCO vs. SmartBatch+ Workflow

Thinking about using iDISCO?

A highly streamlined workflow distinguishes SmartBatch+ tissue clearing and labeling from homebrew approaches like iDISCO. SmartBatch+ allows you to process batches of up to 12 mouse brains in as little as 1 day with minimal hands-on time.

Forget dehydration and rehydration series

The SmartBatch+ workflow consists of all-aqueous reagents, avoiding time-consuming and laborious dehydration and rehydration steps.

Label-free endogenous fluorescence

Fluorescent proteins that would typically be quenched by iDISCO solvents are instead preserved with SHIELD. Consequently, with SmartBatch+, immunolabeling is not strictly necessary to visualize fluorescent proteins.

Explore a rainbow of clear, vivid endogenously-tagged fluorophores in various sample and tissue types with our highly compatible tissue clearing technology. Effectively process spine, liver, lung, skin, and much more.

Fast, uniform immunolabeling

Where immunolabeling is required, SmartBatch+ leverages stochastic electrotransport technology to enable rapid labeling of large samples. Whole rat brains can be labeled in 2-3 days in contrast to the several months required with passive techniques like iDISCO.

Unlike iDISCO labeling, SmartBatch+ also ensures that targets are uniformly labelled throughout the sample. We are constantly validating antibodies for popular targets related to neuroscience, cancer, development, and disease.

Recent publications citing SmartBatch+

Psilocybin triggers an activity-dependent rewiring of large-scale cortical networks

Quan Jiang, Ling-Xiao Shao, Shenqin Yao, Neil K. Savalia, Amelia D. Gilbert, Pasha A. Davoudian, Jack D. Nothnagel, Guilian Tian5, Tin Shing Hung, Hei Ming Lai, Kevin T. Beier, Hongkui Zeng, Alex C. Kwan

Journal:
Cell
Publication Date:
Research Area:
Neural Activity
Tissue Species:
Mouse
Tissue Type:
Brain
Products Cited:
SHIELD, EasyIndex, SmartBatch+, SmartSPIM, SmartAnalytics, CRO Services
Modified AAV5 Capsid for Improved Brain Biodistribution Following Direct Injection in Preclinical Models

Sebastian N. Kieper, Elisabeth A. Spronck, Meriem Bourajjaj, Roberto D.V.S Morais, M. Leontien van der Bent, Seyda Acar Broekmans, Charlot van Rooijen, Rhodé van Westen, Giorgia Squeri, Giso Brasser, Morgane Wartel, Stijn J.H. Waaijer, C.Warner Hoornenborg, Tycho M. Hoogland, Richard Porter, Angga Kusuma

Journal:
Molecular Therapy Methods & Clinical Development
Publication Date:
Research Area:
Biodistribution
Tissue Species:
Mouse
Tissue Type:
Brain
Products Cited:
SHIELD, EasyIndex, SmartBatch+, SmartSPIM, SmartAnalytics, CRO Services
Microglia alter sex-specific cerebellar myelination following placental hormone loss

Jacquelyn Salzbank, Helene Lacaille, Jenah Gaby, Jiaqi J. O’Reilly, Michael Kissner, Claire-Marie Vacher & Anna A. Penn

Journal:
Nature Communications
Publication Date:
Research Area:
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Tissue Species:
Mouse
Tissue Type:
Brain
Products Cited:
SHIELD, SmartBatch+, SmartSPIM, SmartAnalytics, CRO Services

Speak to an expert about your application

Do you have questions about your specific project or application, or just want to learn more about our technology? Reach out to our dedicated team of expert technicians and PhD scientists. We look forward to helping you expedite new discoveries.

Further reading

LifeCanvas Portraits: Dr. Mike Taormina

Dr. Mike Taormina uses SmartSPIM light sheet microscopy to rapidly image whole mouse brains, streamlining workflows at the Allen Institute.