July 17, 2026 | Ultrasound Reveals the Brain’s Waste Removal System
Our lab’s research on imaging the brain’s waste removal system was recently featured in The Scientist. The article highlights 3D-PAULM, a noninvasive imaging technique developed by Drs. Junjie Yao, Wei Yang, and Pengfei Song, and their collaborators at Duke University.
By combining photoacoustic tomography with ultrasound localization microscopy, 3D-PAULM enables researchers to simultaneously visualize blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid movement throughout the brain in high resolution and in real time. The technique offers a new way to study the glymphatic system, which removes metabolic waste and other debris from the brain.
Looking ahead, Dr. Yao hopes that 3D-PAULM will eventually move beyond foundational research to help advance stroke treatment and promote brain health. Beyond its applications in brain imaging, the lab is also exploring the use of 3D-PAULM to study the tumor microenvironment.