syGlass Offers MBL Scientists a Look Into Virtual Reality

A woman and a young man stand in front of a whiteboard. The man is wearing a VR headset and holding two VR controllers in his hands.

Hamilton College student Yuxuan Xu tries out syGlass, a virtual reality tool for observing and analyzing data, with the help of Brandy Freitas, director of data science and analytics at syGlass. Credit: Alex Megerle

By Alex Megerle March 13, 2025

The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is now offering syGlass, a virtual reality system for observing, quantifying, annotating, and analyzing large microscopy datasets, to its scientists and researchers.

“Our immersive virtual reality engine empowers scientists to explore complex image data and simulations with unmatched clarity,” states the syGlass website, “while students engage deeply with their subjects, sparking a passion for learning and discovery.” The MBL has two syGlass licenses.

Roughly 40 people, including MBL scientists and students, learned the benefits of the system and had the chance to try it for themselves on Thursday, March 13.

Brandy Freitas, director of data science and analytics for syGlass, explained the capabilities of the system for analyzing biological imaging data, which include counting objects manually and automatically, tracing structures, and isolating certain sections. The system also allows multiple collaborators to view data simultaneously.

A young woman wearing a VR headset and holding VR controllers stands in front of a whiteboard.

Amherst College student Linxi Cai tries out the syGlass system. Credit: Alex Megerle

A woman stands in front of a whiteboard and projector screen at the front of a room. Rows of tables and chairs fill the rest of the shot, with people scattered throughout.

Roughly 40 people attended the syGlass presentation in Loeb Laboratory on Thursday. Credit: Alex Megerle