Ultrahigh resolution imaging of biomolecules by fluorescence photoactivation localization microscopy.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2009

Keywords

Data-Interpretation-Statistical, Fluorescence-Recovery-After-Photobleaching, Fluorescent-Dyes, Microscopy-Fluorescence, Photobleaching, Photochemical-Processes, Proteins

First Page

483

Last Page

522

JAX Location

see Reprint Collection (a pdf is available)

JAX Source

Methods Mol Biol 2009; 544:483-522.

Abstract

Diffraction limits the biological structures that can be imaged by normal light microscopy. However, recently developed techniques are breaking the limits that diffraction poses and allowing imaging of biological samples at the molecular length scale. Fluorescence photoactivation localization microscopy (FPALM) and related methods can now image molecular distributions in fixed and living cells with measured resolution better than 30 nm. Based on localization of single photoactivatable molecules, FPALM uses repeated cycles of activation, localization, and photobleaching, combined with high-sensitivity fluorescence imaging, to identify and localize large numbers of molecules within a sample. Procedures and pitfalls for construction and use of such a microscope are discussed in detail. Representative images of cytosolic proteins, membrane proteins, and other structures, as well as examples of results during acquisition are shown. It is hoped that these details can be used to perform FPALM on a variety of biological samples, to significantly advance the understanding of biological systems.

Please contact the Joan Staats Library for information regarding this document.

Share

COinS