Photoblueing of organic dyes can cause artifacts in super-resolution microscopy

Nat Methods. 2021 Mar;18(3):253-257. doi: 10.1038/s41592-021-01061-2. Epub 2021 Feb 25.

Abstract

Illumination of fluorophores can induce a loss of the ability to fluoresce, known as photobleaching. Interestingly, some fluorophores photoconvert to a blue-shifted fluorescent molecule as an intermediate on the photobleaching pathway, which can complicate multicolor fluorescence imaging, especially under the intense laser irradiation used in super-resolution fluorescence imaging. Here, we discuss the mechanisms of photoblueing of fluorophores and its impact on fluorescence imaging, and show how it can be prevented.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Artifacts
  • Fluorescence
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Optical Imaging / methods*
  • Photobleaching*

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes