Two-photon microscopy has brought a revolution in the field of high-resolution biological imaging. However, despite the vast potential that two-photon microscopy has, there are some challenges that act as a hindrance to the adoption of this technology. These may include cost constraints, technical issues, the absence of skilled manpower, and issues related to rival technologies, among others.
For industry context, see the Two-Photon Microscopy Market analysis.
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High Capital and Operational Costs
One of the biggest challenges that many institutions may encounter in their decision to adopt two-photon systems is the cost of entry. Two-photon microscopes are based on highly advanced components such as ultrafast lasers, highly sensitive detectors, and highly advanced optics, which can easily make the cost of purchase run into seven figures or more.
However, the cost of purchase is not the only challenge that institutions may encounter. The cost of maintenance and periodic servicing of the laser is also a factor that adds to the cost of ownership of the system. Many institutions in developing countries may find the cost of ownership to be prohibitive.
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Technical Complexity and Training Requirements
Two-photon microscopy is not a plug-and-play technology. It needs expertise to operate and optimize the technology. Many labs lack in-house expertise. This implies that they have to shell out money to train or hire experts. This is a problem in itself. It has been observed in industry surveys that the absence of trained personnel is a significant problem, and the learning curve before new users can start seeing consistent results is quite high.
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Infrastructure and Space Requirements
Besides the human resources, two-photon microscopy systems may also need controlled environments like vibration isolation, stable power, and temperature control. Such needs may be challenging to fulfill in settings that are not research environments in well-equipped institutions, especially in smaller institutions or departments.
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Competition From Alternative Imaging Modalities
Although two-photon microscopy has unmatched depth and resolution in certain applications, it is also faced with challenges from other imaging modalities that could potentially be less costly or more accessible. Other imaging modalities, such as confocal microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, and emerging light-sheet fluorescence microscopy, provide outstanding performance in applications where the two-photon benefit of depth or speed is not needed.
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Standardization and Regulatory Barriers
There is also a need for more standardized protocols in imaging and the interpretation of data. The absence of standardized protocols makes it harder for institutions to compare results or to incorporate two-photon data into clinical practice.
There are also regulatory barriers, especially in clinical applications where devices and procedures require special approval. These barriers can delay the incorporation of two-photon imaging into clinical practice.
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Limited Accessibility in Developing Regions
All the above-mentioned challenges, including cost, expertise, and infrastructure, are further worsened in developing countries, where research budgets and expertise are even more limited. This makes it difficult for two-photon microscopy to gain popularity in developing countries with lower incomes.
Conclusion
However, due to its revolutionary capabilities in deep tissue imaging and live cell imaging, two-photon microscopy still faces some challenges in its adoption. These challenges include high costs of adoption and operation, complexity, training requirements, infrastructure requirements, competition from other technologies, and regulatory requirements, which limit its adoption beyond research institutions that have the capacity to afford it. Overcoming these hurdles will be critical in ensuring that two-photon microscopy is adopted in other fields.
FAQs
- Why is two-photon microscopy expensive to implement?
- Two-photon microscopes employ ultrafast pulsed lasers, high-precision optics, and highly sensitive detectors, which are significantly more expensive to buy. Moreover, the cost of maintaining and servicing the lasers adds to the cost of ownership.
- What skills are required to operate a two-photon microscope?
- Operating a two-photon microscope requires specific knowledge of laser alignment and imaging parameter optimization. In many cases, additional staff or training are required to operate a two-photon microscope effectively.
- How does two-photon microscopy compare to alternative imaging technologies?
- While two-photon microscopy offers the best deep tissue imaging and lowest photodamage, other modalities like confocal, super-resolution, and light-sheet microscopy may be more economical depending on the application.
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