Polysaccharide Nucleotide Tissue Transparentizing Agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for making biological tissue transparent require cell fixation, leading to cell death and inability to observe tiny molecules, and there is a need for a transparentizing agent with reduced cytotoxicity in a living state.
Innovation Solution
A compound comprising a soluble polysaccharide or its derivative, and a nucleotide or its derivative, such as dextran and AMP, is used to make biological tissue transparent while maintaining viability, achieving a refractive index of 1.35 or more.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional transparentizing methods (formaldehyde fixation, lipid removal) are used, then tissue transparency is improved, but cell viability deteriorates (cells die and structures collapse)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the transparentizing agent by using nucleic acid constituents (nucleotides, nucleosides) instead of conventional agents like formaldehyde or lipid-removing solutions. This parameter change allows transparency to be achieved without cytotoxic effects, maintaining cell viability while improving tissue transparency for deep observation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces nucleic acid constituents as intermediary substances that mediate between the requirement for transparency and the need to maintain cell viability. These intermediaries (nucleotides/nucleosides) enable light transmission through tissue without causing cell death or structural collapse, serving as a bridge between conflicting requirements
2Length of stationary object
If observation depth is increased in conventional methods, then deeper tissue structures become visible, but cell death occurs preventing observation of living processes
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the chemical composition parameters to use nucleic acid constituents with appropriate molecular weights and concentrations, the patent achieves deep tissue transparency without the harmful cytotoxic effects of conventional methods, allowing extended observation of living tissue at depth
3Illumination intensity
If lipid removal is performed to reduce refractive index, then tissue transparency is improved, but cell membrane structure collapses making tiny molecule observation impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach by using nucleic acid constituents that adjust refractive index without removing lipids, thereby maintaining cell membrane integrity and shape while achieving tissue transparency for observing tiny molecules like membrane proteins
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Biological tissue can be maintained transparent in a living state for a long period, allowing deep tissue observation of structures like blood vessels and gene expression, enhancing pharmaceutical and medical research.
Implementation Method 1
increasing the light-transmitting property by replacing water with organic molecules with a high refractive index so that it matches the refractive index of biomolecules
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are: a compound containing a soluble polysaccharide or a derivative thereof and a nucleotide or a derivative thereof; a method for making living biological tissue transparent using said compound, and a kit and a composition for said method; and a method for making living biological tissue transparent using dextrin or a derivative thereof, and a kit and a composition for said method.