Introduction to super-resolution microscopy

Masahito Yamanaka; Nicholas I Smith; Katsumasa Fujita

doi:10.1093/jmicro/dfu007

Introduction to super-resolution microscopy

Microscopy (Oxf). 2014 Jun;63(3):177-92. doi: 10.1093/jmicro/dfu007. Epub 2014 Mar 25.

Authors

Masahito Yamanaka¹, Nicholas I Smith¹, Katsumasa Fujita²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Applied Physics Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
² Department of Applied Physics Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan fujita@ap.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp.

PMID: 24671128
DOI: 10.1093/jmicro/dfu007

Abstract

In this review, we introduce the principles of spatial resolution improvement in super-resolution microscopies that were recently developed. These super-resolution techniques utilize the interaction of light and fluorescent probes in order to break the diffraction barrier that limits spatial resolution. The imaging property of each super-resolution technique is also compared with the corresponding conventional one. Typical applications of the super-resolution techniques in biological research are also introduced.

Keywords: PALM; SAX; SIM; STED; STORM; Super-resolution microscopy.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Humans
Microscopy / methods*
Microscopy, Confocal / methods
Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods
Organelles / ultrastructure