Overview

• LICONN is the first light-microscopy method capable of reconstructing brain tissue with complete synaptic connectivity, previously achievable only through electron microscopy.
• The technique combines hydrogel expansion, which enhances resolution to better than 20 nm, with multicolor imaging on standard off-the-shelf microscopes.
• Deep-learning algorithms developed by Google Research automate neuron segmentation and connectivity mapping, making large-scale reconstructions feasible.
• The method also enables the mapping of specific molecules involved in synaptic transmission onto neuronal networks, enriching the structural reconstructions.
• LICONN's accessibility and reproducibility mark a significant step toward democratizing high-resolution connectomics globally, aligning with the goals of the U.S. BRAIN Initiative.