**Executive Summary**
Researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) have developed "CLEAR," a novel imaging platform for high-resolution, multiplexed protein visualization using a single fluorescent marker. Announced on May 26, 2026, this technology overcomes traditional mapping challenges by allowing virtually unlimited protein labeling within the same biological sample. The platform is designed to transform disease diagnosis and biological research, specifically in the fields of oncology and neurology.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Technological Mechanism**
* **CLEAVABLE Light-Erased Antibody Reporter (CLEAR):** Uses a light-cleavable probe system to enable repeated cycles of protein labeling and imaging within a single spectral window.
* **"Chalkboard" Method:** Fluorescent tags are applied to proteins, imaged under a microscope, and then erased using a gentle pulse of 365 nm LED light to make room for the next set of labels.
* **Iterative Imaging:** By repeating the labeling and erasing cycle, scientists can generate increasingly detailed maps of multiple proteins across single cells or complex tissue sections.
**Technical Specifications and Advantages**
* **Efficiency:** Features a signal removal rate of over 98% and a cycle time of less than two minutes.
* **Versatility:** Compatible with delicate biological samples, including live cells, and provides high spatial resolution.
* **Resource Optimization:** Eliminates the requirement for multiple fluorophores, which was a previous limitation in multiplexed imaging.
**Research and Development**
* **Leadership:** The project was led by Prof. Sarit S. Agasti at JNCASR, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
* **Collaboration:** Experimental validation and demonstration in complex biological settings, such as immune cell systems, were conducted in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
* **Publication:** The methodology has been published in the journal *Chemical Science* (Royal Society of Chemistry).
**Impact Analysis**
**Researchers and Scientists**
**Impact**
They can now visualize an unprecedented number of proteins within a single biological sample at high resolution.
**Action Required**
Utilize the CLEAR platform to create comprehensive proteomic maps and advance biological research in immunology and spatial proteomics.
**Pathologists and Medical Professionals**
**Impact**
The technology facilitates better diagnosis of cancers and complex neurological disorders by providing precise spatial organization of proteins.
**Action Required**
Integrate these detailed molecular insights into clinical diagnostics to improve early disease detection.
**Precision Medicine Developers**
**Impact**
CLEAR provides the molecular insights necessary to guide targeted therapies and aligns with global efforts in precision medicine.
**Action Required**
Apply the high-plex imaging data to develop more effective, targeted therapeutic interventions based on specific protein markers.
Key Entities Referenced
Cleavable Light-Erased Antibody Reporter (CLEAR): A novel imaging platform that enables high-resolution, multiplexed protein visualization for early detection of cancer and neurobiological diseases.
Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru: An autonomous research institute under the Department of Science and Technology where the CLEAR technology was developed.
Department of Science and Technology (DST): The primary government department overseeing the research institute and the development of the imaging platform.
Prof. Sarit S. Agasti: The lead researcher who headed the team responsible for designing, synthesizing, and validating the CLEAR probes.
Indian Institute of Science (IISc): The collaborative research institution that helped demonstrate the CLEAR platform in complex biological and immune cell systems.
Ministry of Science & Technology
“CLEAR” technology can revolutionize protein
imaging & facilitate detection of Cancer and
Neurobiological Diseases
Posted On: 26 MAY 2026 4:17PM by PIB Delhi
A novel imaging platform called Cleavable Light-Erased Antibody Reporter (CLEAR) could help
researchers visualize an unprecedented number of proteins within the same biological sample using just a
single fluorescent marker.
This could unveil new possibilities for high-resolution, multiplexed imaging across cells and tissues, with
important implications for disease diagnosis and biological research.
Proteins are the primary orchestrators of biological function and remain the principal targets for
therapeutic intervention, as well as key markers for disease diagnosis. A comprehensive proteomic map of
a tissue sample—capturing the identity and precise spatial organisation of every protein within its native
context could help pathologists in diagnosing cancers or understanding complex neurological disorders.
However, mapping a large number of proteins within their native spatial context has remained a major
challenge.
In order to overcome this challenge, researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific
Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology
(DST) developed the imaging platform CLEAR that can enable scientists to visualize a large number of
proteins within the same biological sample using a single fluorophore.
It could make comprehensive protein mapping possible at high resolution with the potential of
transforming diagnosis in areas such as cancer biology, immunology, and neurological disorders, where
understanding spatial protein organization is critical.
Fig: Illustration of the CLEAR imaging workflow and resulting high-plex images generated using a single
fluorophoreThe team led by Prof. Sarit S. Agasti designed and synthesized the CLEAR probes, developed the imaging
workflow, and validated the platform across different biological systems. Experimental design, probe
chemistry, and imaging analysis were carried out within the group. Collaborative efforts with researchers
at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) helped demonstration of the platform in complex biological
settings, particularly in immune cell systems.
They introduced a light-cleavable probe system that enables repeated cycles of labelling and imaging
within the same spectral window. Unlike existing multiplexing techniques, CLEAR combines high
multiplexing capability with speed, high spatial resolution, and compatibility with delicate biological
samples, including live cells. This approach fundamentally redefines multiplexed imaging by enabling
virtually unlimited protein visualization without requiring multiple fluorophores.
The newly developed method published in the journal Chemical Science (Royal Society of Chemistry),
works like a chalkboard – the things written can be erased to make room for new writing. The method,
enables scientists to label proteins of interest within cells using cleavable fluorescent tags. After acquiring
the images of a set of proteins under a microscope, a gentle pulse of 365 nm LED light is applied to erase
the fluorescent signal, allowing a new set of proteins to be labelled in the same cell and to be imaged in
the same optical window. By iteratively repeating this cycle, increasingly detailed and information-rich
maps of multiple proteins can be generated across specimens, ranging from single cells to complex tissue
sections.
CLEAR has the potential to transform biomedical research and clinical diagnostics by enabling detailed
mapping of proteins in cells and tissues. This can improve early disease detection, especially in cancer and
neurological disorders, and aid in understanding immune responses.
In the long term, the technology could contribute to precision medicine by providing comprehensive
molecular insights that guide targeted therapies. The technology aligns with global efforts toward spatial
proteomics and precision medicine.
Publication Link: 10.1039/D5SC08599C
***
NKR/FT/NM
(Release ID: 2265421) Visitor Counter : 940
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Tamil