title: Living cells as test tubes.
abstract: The combination of specific probes and advanced optical microscopy now allows quantitative probing of biochemical reactions in living cells. On selected systems, one can detect and track a particular protein with single-molecule sensitivity, nanometer spatial precision, and millisecond time resolution. Metabolites, usually difficult to detect, can be imaged and monitored in living cells with coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy. Here, we describe the application of these techniques in studying gene expression, active transport, and lipid metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. xie@chemistry.harvard.edu
authors.forename: X Sunney
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Ji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Wei Yuan
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002477:Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D045663:Quantum Dots; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins; D011506:Proteins