Fluorescence Microscopy in Adeno-Associated Virus Research

Susanne K Golm; Wolfgang Hübner; Kristian M Müller

doi:10.3390/v15051174

Fluorescence Microscopy in Adeno-Associated Virus Research

Viruses. 2023 May 16;15(5):1174. doi: 10.3390/v15051174.

Authors

Susanne K Golm¹, Wolfgang Hübner², Kristian M Müller¹

Affiliations

¹ Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Technology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
² Biomolecular Photonics, Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.

Abstract

Research on adeno-associated virus (AAV) and its recombinant vectors as well as on fluorescence microscopy imaging is rapidly progressing driven by clinical applications and new technologies, respectively. The topics converge, since high and super-resolution microscopes facilitate the study of spatial and temporal aspects of cellular virus biology. Labeling methods also evolve and diversify. We review these interdisciplinary developments and provide information on the technologies used and the biological knowledge gained. The emphasis lies on the visualization of AAV proteins by chemical fluorophores, protein fusions and antibodies as well as on methods for the detection of adeno-associated viral DNA. We add a short overview of fluorescent microscope techniques and their advantages and challenges in detecting AAV.

Keywords: AAV; AAV labeling; DNA labeling; adeno-associated virus; laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM); microscopy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Dependovirus* / genetics
Dependovirus* / metabolism
Genetic Vectors
Microscopy, Fluorescence
Viruses* / genetics

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding. We acknowledge support for the publication costs by the Open Access Publication Fund of Bielefeld University and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG).