Toxicology in the Super-Resolution Era

Abstract

Light microscopy has played a central role in science for the past couple of hundred years and will continue to do so. Multiple super-resolution microscopy techniques have been in the headlines for smashing what for more than 100+ years was believed to be the limits of optical microscopy. This resolution improvement enables the visualization of molecular structures and processes on the nano scale. While certain scientific questions in toxicology can benefit from modalities within the super-resolution suite, due diligence is required for efficiency and to achieve optimal results. For a given hypothesis being tested, there are biophysical issues that need to be considered before heading down the super-resolution road. All commercially available super-resolution modalities, along with cautions and tips, will be discussed. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Keywords: 3-D visualization; fluorescence; image analysis; imaging; ricin.