Inside Insight: Clearing and Staining Fish

http://www.sciencefriday.com
Biomechanists use many high-tech tools such as MRI or CT scanning to visualize the connective tissues of specimens. But for Dr. Adam Summers of the University of Washington's Friday Harbor Labs - none of these methods provide the inspiration of clearing and staining. Using a cocktail of chemicals, clearing and staining turns soft tissues transparent while tinting bones and cartilage bright red and blue. Preparing gobies, stingrays, and sharks in this manner has revealed to Dr. Adam Summers critical data while allowing him, and us, to appreciate the beauty of each fish's form.
Produced by Luke Groskin
Filmed by Ryan Hawk
Music by Audio Network
Additional Photos by Adam Summers and Shutterstock