Pathology

REIMAGINED IN 3D

 
 

Alpenglow is transforming the field of pathology

Our end-to-end solution includes seamless workflow from sample prep to visualization with 3D analysis.  We use an open-top light-sheet (OTLS) microscope with a patented geometry that allows for ease of use by analyzing entire tissue samples or conventional multi-well plates. This fully automated system facilitates high throughput analysis, while cloud computing and AI-enabled software allow researchers to visualize and quantify complex spatial biology applications in 3D.

Core applications where 3D is superior to 2D

3D Morphology of Convoluted Shapes

Most biological structures, such as vasculature, neurons, lymphatics, and glands, are best quantified in 3D. Alpenglow’s technology provides critical 3D Metrics, such as volume, total path length, mean diameter, branch count, branch angle, and fractal dimension.

Use cases:

  • Neuroscience, enteric nervous system, peripheral nervous system

  • Vascular changes in dementia, tumors, ischemia, neoangiogenesis

  • Fibrosis in a wide variety of diseases including liver, kidney, and lung conditions

Assessment of Complex Cellular Distributions

3D is the best way to understand complex architectures (i.e., microenvironment) in tumors, fibrosis, immune-mediated inflammatory disorders, etc.

Use cases:

  • Tumor microenvironment

  • Amyloid & tau protein distribution

  • Immune cell composition/colocalization

Detection of Rare or Sparse Objects

Identify rare cells or drug targets, 2D sectioning will often miss these objects.

Use cases:

  • Genetically labeled rare cells

  • Biodistribution of drug at target studies

  • Stem/progenitor cell studies

  • Subclones within PDX models

Solutions for Drug Discovery, Translational Research & Clinical Diagnostics

Efficacy and dosage analysis

3D spatial biology can provide deep insights into mechanisms of action, drug efficacy, and appropriate dosage. Alpenglow’s technology suits diseases with complex three-dimensional structures like oncology, fibrosis, and neuroscience applications. Al-enabled 3D spatial analysis can also give better quantitative insights into correct drug dosages over traditional, subjective pathologist scoring.

Toxicity and biodistribution analysis

In animal models, imaging an entire tissue sample provides much more insight into possible toxic side effects and the biodistribution of a therapeutic candidate. Catching toxicity with traditional 2D slide-based pathology is prone to sampling errors. Using Alpenglow’s 3D spatial biology technology, visualizing whole organs can detect rare toxicity events before compounds reach humans in Phase I clinical trials.

Failed asset screening

During the drug selection process, many viable drug candidates can be cast aside due to incomplete results or lack of efficacy in one domain while having potential applications to other tissues, targets, or disease areas. Alpenglow can rapidly screen biobank samples from previous trials, identify potential efficacious drugs, or run simulations for efficacy in other domains. This is achieved by scanning 100% of the tissue and applying Al-enabled 3D deep insights.

Predictive Capabilities

In addition to the above offerings, Alpenglow’s proprietary algorithms can be trained to predict molecular alterations, patient outcomes, and patient response to drugs. While these insights can be used in many contexts, they are most helpful in patient selection for clinical trials, developing companion diagnostics, and future therapeutic development and qualification.