Poster #088
DAPI-Based U-ExM in Human Retinal Organoids: A Pilot Study
Mentors: Leila Bahmani, PhD & Dr. Aaron Nagiel, MD, PhD
Traditional confocal microscopy has its limits when it comes to visualizing tiny cell structures. In this pilot study, we explored and hypothesized that DAPI-based Ultrastructure Expansion Microscopy (U-ExM) could help us get a better view of synaptic proteins in the outer plexiform layer (OPL) of human retinal organoids. This technique could be used to better understand how synaptic proteins are organized in the retina and offer new insights into retinal diseases. The method involves a five-day protocol using specific chemical solutions, embedding samples in a gel, and incubating them so they expand up to four times their original size evenly. By doing this, we aim to reveal clearly defined structures inside cells that were previously only visible with expensive and complex microscopes. DAPI was used to assess nuclear expansion and image quality. This method may offer a more accessible and cost-effective approach to high-resolution imaging of retinal structure at the nanoscale level.