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+

Serine racemase deletion alters adolescent social behavior and whole-brain cFos activation

Stephanie E. Brown, Ziyi (Zephyr) Wang, Emily L. Newman, Elif Engin, Sabina Berretta, Darrick T. Balu, Oluwarotimi O. Folorunso.

Journal:
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Publication Date:
Research Area:
cFos, Mapping
Tissue Species:
Mouse
Tissue Type:
Heart
Products Cited:
SHIELD, SmartBatch+, SmartSPIM, CRO Services
A cocaine-activated ensemble exerts increased control over behavior while decreasing in size

Kimberly C. Thibeault, Michael Z. Leonard, Veronika Kondev, Soren D. Emerson, Rishik Bethi, Alberto J. Lopez, Jonathon P. Sens, Brett P. Nabit, Hannah B. Elam, Danny G. Winder, Sachin Patel, Drew D. Kiraly, Brad A. Grueter, Erin S. Calipari.

Journal:
Biological Psychiatry
Publication Date:
Research Area:
cFos, Mapping
Tissue Species:
Mouse
Tissue Type:
Brain
Products Cited:
SHIELD, SmartBatch+, SmartSPIM, CRO Services
The functional and anatomical characterization of three spinal output pathways of the anterolateral tract

Haichao Chen, Isabel H. Bleimeister, Eileen K. Nguyen, Jie Li, Abby Yilin Cui, Harrison J. Stratton, Kelly M. Smith, Mark L. Baccei, Sarah E. Ross.

Journal:
Cell Reports
Publication Date:
Research Area:
Neural Circuits, Mapping
Tissue Species:
Mouse
Tissue Type:
Spinal Cord
Products Cited:
SHIELD, EasyIndex, SmartBatch+, SmartSPIM, 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.