China's ‘ionic glass’ method turns brains and hearts transparent

Chinese researchers have developed a novel "ionic glass" technique that renders whole organs, such as brains and hearts, transparent while preserving their fine structure and shape. Unlike existing tissue-clearing methods that often distort or damage samples, this approach uses ionic liquids—solvents liquid below 100°C—that infiltrate organs to create an “ionic glassy state.” This state maintains tissue integrity without expansion, shrinkage, or ice crystal formation during cold storage. Additionally, the method significantly enhances fluorescent dye signals by 2 to 30 times, enabling clearer visualization of subtle cellular details like rare proteins and neuron connections. The breakthrough has major implications for biomedical research and precision medicine, as it allows for highly accurate 3D imaging and mapping of entire organs at microscopic resolution. The team demonstrated the technique’s utility by examining human neuron micro-connectivity and comparing it to non-human brains, revealing functional differences. Beyond neuroscience, the method could be applied broadly to various organs, aiding in disease marker detection and potentially advancing AI-driven