Tsinghua AI Light Field Microscope Breaks Through Live 3D Imaging
A team from Tsinghua University has unleashed a revolutionary approach in physics-driven AI for light-field microscopy, achieving unprecedented three-dimensional, high-definition monitoring of over 300,000 frames in living organisms. This breakthrough is poised to reshape the landscape of biological imaging and analysis. The research focuses on two key areas. First, they have significantly expanded the imaging resolution and scale. Current technology can capture images at the micrometer level, but the Tsinghua team envisions pushing this to the nanometer scale in the future. This advancement allows for detailed tracking of entire organs in mice, such as the brain and liver, at the cellular level. Second, the team has integrated artificial intelligence into the microscopy process, endowing the device with sophisticated cognitive capabilities. This AI-enhanced microscope can autonomously interpret and analyze the observed biological world, revealing intricate patterns and dynamics of living cells and tissues. The high throughput and precision of the system make it invaluable for applications like drug screening and fundamental biological research. Reference materials: 1. Lu, Z., Jin, M., et al. Physics-driven self-supervised learning for fast high-resolution robust 3D reconstruction of light-field microscopy. Nature Methods (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41592-025-02698-z 2. Wu, J., et al. Iterative tomography with digital adaptive optics permits hour-long intravital observation of 3D subcellular dynamics at millisecond scale. Cell 184, 3318-3332 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2021.04.029 3. Lu, Z., et al. Long-term intravital subcellular imaging with confocal scanning light-field microscopy. Nature Biotechnology 43, 569–580 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-024-02249-5 4. Zhang, Y., et al. Long-term mesoscale imaging of 3D intercellular dynamics across a mammalian organ. Cell 187, 6104-6122 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2024.08.026 The potential impact of this technology is vast. By enabling real-time, high-fidelity imaging of biological processes, researchers can gain deeper insights into cellular activities and interactions within living organs, facilitating advancements in both basic research and applied sciences. The integration of AI further enhances the microscope's utility by automating complex analysis tasks, reducing the time and effort required to interpret large datasets. This innovation represents a significant leap forward in the field of light-field microscopy, opening new avenues for exploring the intricate details of life at unprecedented scales and resolutions. It promises to revolutionize how scientists study and understand biological systems, potentially leading to breakthroughs in medical treatments and biotechnological applications.