Super-resolution imaging techniques operate beyond the limit set by the diffraction of light, leading to new insights in cellular biology. Among these techniques, the direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) approach is based on the use of blinking fluorescent dyes allowing spatial resolution of about 20 nm. This post is focusing on a new type of fluorescent dye compatible with both live-cell imaging and staining of fixed cells adapted to dSTORM.

Immune checkpoint molecules play an important role in T cell functionality after TCR/MHC signaling. In fact, blockade of two B7/CD28 family checkpoint molecules, namely CTLA-4 and PD-1, have already demonstrated excellent efficacy in increasing T cell responses to a variety of tumors.

Small molecules known to modulate biological activies of the K-Ras oncogene are predominantly of synthetic origin (ex. Salirasib). Nevetheless, various publications have recently demontrated the biological potential of microbial metabolites in KRAS studies. Here’s a good opportunity to briefly review a few of these compounds.

Visualizing fixed cells and tissues only gives snapshots of cellular processes. To have a better insight into dynamic events ocurring in the cells or to vizualize interactions between various cellular components in real time (e.g., proteins, organelles, second messengers…), powerful microscopic approaches have been developed over the past decade. This post will review the recent live cell imaging probes developed by Goryo Chemicalsand available in Europe through tebu-bio.