Nanoscopy in a living mouse brain

Science. 2012 Feb 3;335(6068):551. doi: 10.1126/science.1215369.

Abstract

We demonstrated superresolution optical microscopy in a living higher animal. Stimulated emission depletion (STED) fluorescence nanoscopy reveals neurons in the cerebral cortex of a mouse with <70-nanometer resolution. Dendritic spines and their subtle changes can be observed at their relevant scales over extended periods of time.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dendritic Spines / physiology*
  • Dendritic Spines / ultrastructure*
  • Fluorescence
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / instrumentation
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Nanotechnology
  • Somatosensory Cortex / ultrastructure*

Substances

  • Luminescent Proteins