title: Super resolution microscopy is poised to reveal new insights into the formation and maturation of dendritic spines.
abstract: Dendritic spines and synapses are critical for neuronal communication, and they are perturbed in many neurological disorders; however, the study of these structures in living cells has been hindered by their small size. Super resolution microscopy, unlike conventional light microscopy, is diffraction unlimited and thus is well suited for imaging small structures, such as dendritic spines and synapses. Super resolution microscopy has already revealed important new information about spine and synapse morphology, actin remodeling, and nanodomain composition in both healthy cells and diseased states. In this review, we highlight the advancements in probes that make super resolution more amenable to live-cell imaging of spines and synapses. We also discuss recent data obtained by super resolution microscopy that has advanced our knowledge of dendritic spine and synapse structure, organization, and dynamics in both healthy and diseased contexts. Finally, we propose a series of critical questions for understanding spine and synapse formation and maturation that super resolution microscopy is poised to answer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: Cristina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: Mikin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: Donna J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Webb
keywords: dendritic spines and synapses; neurological disorders; super resolution microscopy