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Correlative nanoscopy: A multimodal approach to molecular resolution
Author(s) -
Jadavi Samira,
Bianchini Paolo,
Cavalleri Ornella,
Dante Silvia,
Canale Claudio,
Diaspro Alberto
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.23800
Subject(s) - correlative , microscopy , atomic force microscopy , nanotechnology , fluorescence microscope , resolution (logic) , materials science , nanoscopic scale , microscope , fluorescence , optics , computer science , physics , artificial intelligence , philosophy , linguistics
Abstract Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a nano‐mechanical tool uniquely suited for biological studies at the molecular scale. AFM operation is based on mechanical interaction between the tip and the sample, a mechanism of contrast capable of measuring different information, including surface topography, mechanical, and electrical properties. However, the lack of specificity highlights the need to integrate AFM data with other techniques providing compositional hints. In particular, optical microscopes based on fluorescence as a mechanism of contrast can access the local distribution of specific molecular species. The coupling between AFM and super‐resolved fluorescence microscopy solves the resolution mismatch between AFM and conventional fluorescence optical microscopy. Recent advances showed that also the inherently label‐free imaging capabilities of the AFM are fundamental to complement the fluorescence images. In this review, we have presented a brief historical view on correlative microscopy, and, finally, we have summarized the progress of correlative AFM‐super‐resolution microscopy in biological research.