Challenges facing quantitative large-scale optical super-resolution, and some simple solutions

Tal M Dankovich; Silvio O Rizzoli

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2021.102134

Challenges facing quantitative large-scale optical super-resolution, and some simple solutions

iScience. 2021 Feb 3;24(3):102134. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102134. eCollection 2021 Mar 19.

Authors

Tal M Dankovich^{1

2}, Silvio O Rizzoli^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ University Medical Center Göttingen, Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Göttingen 37073, Germany.
² International Max Planck Research School for Neuroscience, Göttingen, Germany.
³ Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN) Center & Multiscale Bioimaging Excellence Center, Göttingen 37075, Germany.

Abstract

Optical super-resolution microscopy (SRM) has enabled biologists to visualize cellular structures with near-molecular resolution, giving unprecedented access to details about the amounts, sizes, and spatial distributions of macromolecules in the cell. Precisely quantifying these molecular details requires large datasets of high-quality, reproducible SRM images. In this review, we discuss the unique set of challenges facing quantitative SRM, giving particular attention to the shortcomings of conventional specimen preparation techniques and the necessity for optimal labeling of molecular targets. We further discuss the obstacles to scaling SRM methods, such as lengthy image acquisition and complex SRM data analysis. For each of these challenges, we review the recent advances in the field that circumvent these pitfalls and provide practical advice to biologists for optimizing SRM experiments.

Keywords: Cell Biology; Optical Imaging.

Publication types

Review