1. Tomographic non-invasive imaging of C. Elegans worm:
LLTech Light-CT scanner
Sample preparation:

worms are anesthetized and encapsulated in a gel 2. a gel layer is placed between slide and coverslip 3. the sample is imaged using standard Light-CT scanner procedure

Imaging:

3Dtomographic resolution: 1m, non invasive, non destructive 4. 3D acquisition of whole worm: 2minutes (about 60 images, thickness 1m), allowing fast 3D optical biopsy

coverslip
Encapsulated worms
Microscope slide
5. Light-CT allows fast identification of anatomy worm 1
Image plane 1 @ 15m depth
Image plane 2 @ 30m depth
800m
800m
Corpus
pharynx
Isthmus
Posterior bulb
Excretory canal
spermatheca1
vulva
eggs
ovocytes
spermatheca2
gonad arm
intestine
ovocytes
6. Light-CT allows fast identification of anatomy worm 2
Image plane 1 @ 15m depth
Image plane 2 @ 30m depth
800m
800m
ovocytes
intestine
Body wall - cuticle
gonad arm
uterus
7. Light-CT allows full volumetric imaging in a few minutes
Light-CT image: allows fine
separation of structures
Standard microscope image
Optical sectioning:
1m thickness image
Light-CT images at different depths reveal fine structural details
8. Light-CT allows fast, precise 3D rendering and volume exploration
9. Images with 40x objective
Much higherresolution
10. Zoom on different parts
11. Scanning through the sample
Movieobtainedwith 3 microns steps
12. 3D viewing