From single molecules to life: microscopy at the nanoscale.
Super-resolution microscopy is the term commonly given to fluorescence microscopy techniques with resolutions that are not limited by the diffraction of light. Since their conception a little over a decade ago, these techniques have quickly become the method of choice for many biologists studying structures and processes of single cells at the nanoscale. In this review, we present the three main approaches used to tackle the diffraction barrier of ∼200 nm: stimulated-emission depletion (STED) microscopy, structured illumination microscopy (SIM), and single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM). We first present a theoretical overview of the techniques and underlying physics, followed by a practical guide to all of the facets involved in designing a super-resolution experiment, including an approachable explanation of the photochemistry involved, labeling methods available, and sample preparation procedures. Finally, we highlight some of the most exciting recent applications of and developments in these techniques, and discuss the outlook for this field. Graphical Abstract Super-resolution microscopy techniques. Working principles of the common approaches stimulated-emission depletion (STED) microscopy, structured illumination microscopy (SIM), and single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM).
Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 16, 35043, Marburg, Germany.
Bartosz
B
Turkowyd
Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 16, 35043, Marburg, Germany.
David
D
Virant
Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 16, 35043, Marburg, Germany. ulrike.endesfelder@synmikro.mpi-marburg.mpg.de.
Ulrike
U
Endesfelder
D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D022082:Cellular Structures / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004058:Diffusion; D005453:Fluorescence; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes
Live cell imaging; Photophysics and photochemistry of fluorophores; Quantitative cell biology; Super-resolution microscopy