Conexiant
Login
  • The Analytical Scientist
  • The Cannabis Scientist
  • The Medicine Maker
  • The Ophthalmologist
  • The Pathologist
  • The Traditional Scientist
The Pathologist
  • Explore Pathology

    Explore

    • Latest
    • Insights
    • Case Studies
    • Opinion & Personal Narratives
    • Research & Innovations
    • Product Profiles

    Featured Topics

    • Molecular Pathology
    • Infectious Disease
    • Digital Pathology

    Issues

    • Latest Issue
    • Archive
  • Subspecialties
    • Oncology
    • Histology
    • Cytology
    • Hematology
    • Endocrinology
    • Neurology
    • Microbiology & Immunology
    • Forensics
    • Pathologists' Assistants
  • Training & Education

    Career Development

    • Professional Development
    • Career Pathways
    • Workforce Trends

    Educational Resources

    • Guidelines & Recommendations
    • App Notes

    Events

    • Webinars
    • Live Events
  • Events
    • Live Events
    • Webinars
  • Profiles & Community

    People & Profiles

    • Power List
    • Voices in the Community
    • Authors & Contributors
  • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
Subscribe
Subscribe

False

The Pathologist / Issues / 2022 / Aug / Solving the Challenge of COVID-19
Infectious Disease Microscopy and imaging Software and hardware Technology and innovation Insights

Solving the Challenge of COVID-19 with Whole-Slide Imaging

Examining the capabilities of automated slide scanners that help accelerate COVID-19 research

By Wei Juan Wong 08/01/2022 Discussion 3 min read

Share

Two years into the pandemic, COVID-19 still presents a challenge for pathologists and researchers seeking to better understand how the disease affects the human body. Whole-slide imaging is central to this work because high-resolution images allow researchers to visualize and evaluate damage to tissues and cells. Though whole-slide images can be captured manually, the high volume of images needed for research requires a faster approach – so many researchers are turning to automated slide scanners to speed up the process and obtain higher-quality images. For example, Si Wang and colleagues used an automated slide scanner to study the lungs of patients with COVID-19 (1), whereas Ni Huang and others did the same to research COVID-19 infection of the oral cavity and saliva (2).

Automated slide scanners include many features to help researchers study infectious diseases – and a better understanding of COVID-19 means better patient outcomes. Automated slide scanners play an important role in disease research by providing fast, high-resolution imaging for quantitative analysis and publication. Here are six key scanner features I’ve found helpful in my own work.

1. Automated detection of samples during the scanning process. 

Scanning whole slides of tissue sections and other samples for COVID-19 research can be time-consuming if the software scans both sample and background; automated sample detection speeds up the process by only detecting and scanning the sample. With accurate autofocus and high magnification on just the sample area, researchers can obtain all the information they need from the image while saving time scanning.

2. Intuitive software for an easy scan setup. 

Easy-to-use scanner software makes it simple for researchers of all experience levels to obtain high-quality virtual slide images of tissues and cells. For example, software that saves project settings for specific samples enables researchers to start a quick batch scan with minimal supervision. This greatly reduces setup time and increases efficiency, especially for fluorescence imaging – a method often used in COVID-19 research to label SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

3. Accurate color reproduction of tissues and stains.

In COVID-19 research and other pathology applications, accurate color reproduction is vital to view stained samples as they are seen with the naked eye. Various technologies – such as modern, energy-efficient LEDs that can match the spectral characteristics of a halogen lamp – support accurate color reproduction. Furthermore, color-corrected cameras and ICC profiles facilitate accurate color and intensity reproduction on computer monitors. These features enable the purple, cyan, and pink stains often used in COVID-19 research to show up correctly in whole-slide images.

4. Automated immersion oil dispensing.

High-resolution images let researchers see small details, such as viruses. Scanning slides with immersion oil can provide high-resolution images to help researchers visualize infections; however, this process is typically done manually and can be time-consuming. An automated oil dispenser integrated into the scanner software can add the correct amount of oil to the scan area and remember the slides that have already been scanned with oil. This automated feature gives oil scanning the same convenience as using a dry objective.

5. Flexible imaging to visualize infections. 

Depending on the sample and application, COVID-19 researchers may need a range of observation methods to visualize infections or stains. Scanners with multiple imaging modes enable researchers to clearly see different details of the sample, such as tissue or RNA. Having the option to mix and match methods in a batch scan offers even greater flexibility and efficiency, because researchers can process multiple sample types in one scan.

6. Links to image management systems. 

COVID-19 research requires a large number of high-resolution images to understand how the virus affects the human body. Multiple images are stitched together into one large, tiled image to enable easy visualization of tissues or cells. Without an easy way to store and view large files, image management can become cumbersome and disorganized, but automated slide scanners that link to an image management system can enable image sharing and collaboration via a simple web viewer. This feature eliminates the need to transfer large images while retaining the ability to view high-resolution data.

Newsletters

Receive the latest pathology news, personalities, education, and career development – weekly to your inbox.

Newsletter Signup Image

References

  1. S Wang et al., “A single-cell transcriptomic landscape of the lungs of patients with COVID-19,” Nat Cell Biol, 23, 1314 (2021). PMID: 34876692.
  2. N Huang et al., “SARS-CoV-2 infection of the oral cavity and saliva,” Nat Med, 27, 892 (2021). PMID: 33767405.

About the Author(s)

Wei Juan Wong

Application Specialist, Digital Slide Scanning Systems, Olympus Soft Imaging Solutions, Germany. Evident Corporation is a new, wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus and is comprised of its former Life Science and Industrial divisions.

More Articles by Wei Juan Wong

Explore More in Pathology

Dive deeper into the world of pathology. Explore the latest articles, case studies, expert insights, and groundbreaking research.

False

Advertisement

Recommended

False

Related Content

The Viral Frontier
Infectious Disease
The Viral Frontier

January 23, 2024

1 min read

The latest on the UK COVID-19 inquiry

What’s New in Infectious Disease? (December 2021)
Infectious Disease
What’s New in Infectious Disease?

December 23, 2021

1 min read

The latest research and news on COVID-19 and the infectious disease landscape

Immunology Insights
Infectious Disease
Immunology Insights

January 13, 2022

1 min read

The latest research in pathology and laboratory medicine

Pneumocystis Mysteries
Infectious Disease
Pneumocystis Mysteries

January 21, 2022

1 min read

What is the correct name for this pneumonia-causing pathogen?

False

The Pathologist
Subscribe

About

  • About Us
  • Work at Conexiant Europe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 Texere Publishing Limited (trading as Conexiant), with registered number 08113419 whose registered office is at Booths No. 1, Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, England, WA16 8GS.