Part of a study on neuropathic pain, this image depicts the rich microenvironment of an unprocessed intact mouse whisker pad. From the collagen capsule (green), comprising the follicle with muscles (yellow) supporting it, to adipocytes (purple), stromal cells, and immune cells, all the cell types that create this complex microenvironment are shown.  

Understanding biological complexity requires minimally disruptive imaging tools that provide multiplexed molecular contrasts, such as this non-invasive, label-free microscopy approach being developed by the You Lab to visualize biosystems.