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STED microscopy: increased resolution for medical research?
Author(s) -
Blom H.,
Brismar H.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.625
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1365-2796
pISSN - 0954-6820
DOI - 10.1111/joim.12278
Subject(s) - sted microscopy , microscopy , confocal microscopy , super resolution microscopy , stimulated emission , resolution (logic) , fluorescence microscope , confocal , diffraction , nanotechnology , optics , fluorescence , materials science , computer science , physics , scanning confocal electron microscopy , artificial intelligence , laser
Optical imaging is crucial for addressing fundamental problems in all areas of life science. With the use of confocal and two‐photon fluorescence microscopy, complex dynamic structures and functions in a plethora of tissue and cell types have been visualized. However, the resolution of ‘classical’ optical imaging methods is poor due to the diffraction limit and does not allow resolution of the cellular microcosmos. On the other hand, the novel stimulated emission depletion ( STED ) microscopy technique, because of its targeted on/off‐switching of fluorescence, is not hampered by a diffraction‐limited resolution barrier. STED microscopy can therefore provide much sharper images, permitting nanoscale visualization by sequential imaging of individual‐labelled biomolecules, which should allow previous findings to be reinvestigated and provide novel information. The aim of this review is to highlight promising developments in and applications of STED microscopy and their impact on unresolved issues in biomedical science.