title: Overview of confocal microscopy.
abstract: Born out of the need to overcome an imaging problem in the 1950s, confocal microscopes today allow researchers to go beyond simple imaging and ask biochemical questions. This chapter provides background information on the development of modern confocal microscopes, their uses and applications. Sample preparation and observation are also discussed. Information is also provided about more advanced applications such as FRAP, FRET and 2-photon imaging. The requirements for setting up a confocal laboratory and the instrumentation needs are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Swaim
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D036681:Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching / Q000379:methods; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / Q000379:methods; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis; D007211:Indoles / Q000032:analysis; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007211:Indoles; C007293:DAPI