Structural and functional imaging of the heart is at the core of many basic, translational, and clinical studies. Cutting-edge developments in imaging systems, sample preparation techniques, and data analysis tools are key for understanding the heart and how it functions over scales, both spatial and temporal. Recent advancements in tissue processing and labelling enable high-resolution scans of large sample volumes and the tracking of cell identities, be they types or molecular profiles. This has given rise to an increasing awareness of what makes up our hearts, and the roles of various cell populations within. Furthermore, optogenetic approaches combined with developments in functional imaging techniques enable identification of the nature of interactions between various cells in the heart. Additionally, developments in imaging technologies are improving spatiotemporal resolution and increasing penetration depths in both the pre-clinical and clinical settings, giving a deeper understanding of the 4D nature of cardiac function than previously possible. Finally, data analysis tools, including machine learning approaches, are enabling high-throughput assessments of population dynamics and aiding in clinical decision making.

This methods collection is aimed at all researchers interested in preclinical and clinical imaging of cardiac structure and function. The protocols within the collection will focus on emerging approaches, tools, and techniques for looking at cardiac tissue, including sample preparation, imaging, and data analysis. This collection will encompass scales from the ultrastructural level to that of the whole organism and, by doing so, will enable researchers to better identify mechanisms, alterations, and implications in both health and disease.