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. [Read more…]
Live cell imaging: the art of looking at biological processes in real time
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.
Live cell imaging of DNA with SiR-DNA for STED & SIM
Fig. 1: Live HeLa cells stained with SiR-DNA (confocal imaging). Courtesy of D. Gerlich and C. Blaukopf, IMB Vienna. SiR-DNA molecular structure in white.
In their most recent publication “SiR-Hoechst, a far-red DNA stain for live-cell nanoscopy” in Nature Communications, Lukinavičius et al. (1) define ideal characteristics of a nuclear stain for live cell imaging approaches. The stain should…
- show high selectivity
- minimal toxicity
- be fluorogenic for wash-free imaging
- be applicable in different cell types and tissues
- be excited by far-red light
- be suitable for super-resolution microscopy
None of the nuclear stains on the market meets all these crucial requirements leading thus to the need for a new tool for live cell staining experiments of the nucleus. [Read more…]