BOOST: a robust ten-fold expansion method on hour-scale

Abstract Expansion microscopy enhances the microscopy resolution by physically expanding biological specimens and improves the visualization of structural and molecular details. Numerous expansion microscopy techniques and labeling methods have been developed over the past decade to cater to specifi...

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Main Authors: Jinyu Guo, Hui Yang, Chixiang Lu, Di Cui, Murong Zhao, Cun Li, Weihua Chen, Qian Yang, Zhijie Li, Mingkun Chen, Shan-chao Zhao, Jie Zhou, Jiaye He, Haibo Jiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57350-3
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author Jinyu Guo
Hui Yang
Chixiang Lu
Di Cui
Murong Zhao
Cun Li
Weihua Chen
Qian Yang
Zhijie Li
Mingkun Chen
Shan-chao Zhao
Jie Zhou
Jiaye He
Haibo Jiang
author_facet Jinyu Guo
Hui Yang
Chixiang Lu
Di Cui
Murong Zhao
Cun Li
Weihua Chen
Qian Yang
Zhijie Li
Mingkun Chen
Shan-chao Zhao
Jie Zhou
Jiaye He
Haibo Jiang
author_sort Jinyu Guo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Expansion microscopy enhances the microscopy resolution by physically expanding biological specimens and improves the visualization of structural and molecular details. Numerous expansion microscopy techniques and labeling methods have been developed over the past decade to cater to specific research needs. Nonetheless, a shared limitation among current protocols is the extensive sample processing time, particularly for challenging-to-expand biological specimens (e.g., formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections and large three-dimensional specimens). Here we present BOOST, a rapid and robust expansion microscopy workflow that leverages a series of microwave-accelerated expansion microscopy chemistry. Specifically, BOOST enables a single-step 10-fold expansion of cultured cells, tissue sections, and even the challenging-to-expand FFPE sections under 90 minutes. Notably, BOOST pioneers a 10-fold expansion of large millimeter-sized three-dimensional specimens, previously unattainable to the best of our knowledge. The workflow is also easily adaptable based on stable and common reagents, thus boosting the potential adoption of expansion microscopy for applications.
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issn 2041-1723
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series Nature Communications
spelling doaj-art-a9dd4ef8a61848068bf157c3e4da1a762025-08-20T02:59:32ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-03-0116111310.1038/s41467-025-57350-3BOOST: a robust ten-fold expansion method on hour-scaleJinyu Guo0Hui Yang1Chixiang Lu2Di Cui3Murong Zhao4Cun Li5Weihua Chen6Qian Yang7Zhijie Li8Mingkun Chen9Shan-chao Zhao10Jie Zhou11Jiaye He12Haibo Jiang13Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu LamDepartment of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu LamDepartment of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu LamDepartment of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu LamDepartment of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu LamDepartment of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu LamDepartment of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu LamDepartment of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu LamDepartment of Geriatrics, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatric, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology)Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityDepartment of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical UniversityDepartment of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu LamInstitute of Scientific Instrumentation, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesDepartment of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu LamAbstract Expansion microscopy enhances the microscopy resolution by physically expanding biological specimens and improves the visualization of structural and molecular details. Numerous expansion microscopy techniques and labeling methods have been developed over the past decade to cater to specific research needs. Nonetheless, a shared limitation among current protocols is the extensive sample processing time, particularly for challenging-to-expand biological specimens (e.g., formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections and large three-dimensional specimens). Here we present BOOST, a rapid and robust expansion microscopy workflow that leverages a series of microwave-accelerated expansion microscopy chemistry. Specifically, BOOST enables a single-step 10-fold expansion of cultured cells, tissue sections, and even the challenging-to-expand FFPE sections under 90 minutes. Notably, BOOST pioneers a 10-fold expansion of large millimeter-sized three-dimensional specimens, previously unattainable to the best of our knowledge. The workflow is also easily adaptable based on stable and common reagents, thus boosting the potential adoption of expansion microscopy for applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57350-3
spellingShingle Jinyu Guo
Hui Yang
Chixiang Lu
Di Cui
Murong Zhao
Cun Li
Weihua Chen
Qian Yang
Zhijie Li
Mingkun Chen
Shan-chao Zhao
Jie Zhou
Jiaye He
Haibo Jiang
BOOST: a robust ten-fold expansion method on hour-scale
Nature Communications
title BOOST: a robust ten-fold expansion method on hour-scale
title_full BOOST: a robust ten-fold expansion method on hour-scale
title_fullStr BOOST: a robust ten-fold expansion method on hour-scale
title_full_unstemmed BOOST: a robust ten-fold expansion method on hour-scale
title_short BOOST: a robust ten-fold expansion method on hour-scale
title_sort boost a robust ten fold expansion method on hour scale
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57350-3
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