Photochemical Mechanisms of Fluorophores Employed in Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy

Kai Kikuchi; Liam D Adair; Jiarun Lin; Elizabeth J New; Amandeep Kaur

doi:10.1002/anie.202204745

Photochemical Mechanisms of Fluorophores Employed in Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2023 Jan 2;62(1):e202204745. doi: 10.1002/anie.202204745. Epub 2022 Nov 17.

Authors

Kai Kikuchi^{1

2

3}, Liam D Adair^{3

4

5}, Jiarun Lin^{3

4}, Elizabeth J New^{3

4

5}, Amandeep Kaur^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 305, Australia.
² School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
³ The University of Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
⁴ School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
⁵ Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

Abstract

Decoding cellular processes requires visualization of the spatial distribution and dynamic interactions of biomolecules. It is therefore not surprising that innovations in imaging technologies have facilitated advances in biomedical research. The advent of super-resolution imaging technologies has empowered biomedical researchers with the ability to answer long-standing questions about cellular processes at an entirely new level. Fluorescent probes greatly enhance the specificity and resolution of super-resolution imaging experiments. Here, we introduce key super-resolution imaging technologies, with a brief discussion on single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM). We evaluate the chemistry and photochemical mechanisms of fluorescent probes employed in SMLM. This Review provides guidance on the identification and adoption of fluorescent probes in single molecule localization microscopy to inspire the design of next-generation fluorescent probes amenable to single-molecule imaging.

Keywords: Fluorescence; Photochemistry; Photoswitching; Sensors; Super-Resolution.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Fluorescent Dyes* / chemistry
Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods
Single Molecule Imaging* / methods

Substances

Fluorescent Dyes