Superresolution Micrsocopy in Immunology

Abstract

During the last decade many different superresolution (SR) microscopy techniques have been developed, offering high resolution imaging in conventional light microscopy settings. SR techniques can roughly be subdivided in techniques applying structured illumination and single molecule localization techniques. Although SR microscopy has been implemented in developmental biology and neuroscience, it is not as commonly used in immunology research. This review aims to evaluate the current application and future potential of SR microscopy in different immunology research niches. Furthermore, the current innovations in SR microscopy are discussed. Current literature available on application of SR microscopy in immunology research confirms that this is a comparatively novel technique: results obtained using these techniques are in some cases contradictory, which is most probably due to a lack of standardized protocols. Evaluation of the different niches shows that implementation of the different SR techniques could potentially lead to a significant gain in knowledge. Undertakings to standardize imaging protocols and the design of more efficient and broadly applicable fluorophores will assist in the maturation of SR microscopy into a widely applied technology, which might resolves some of the still prevailing mysteries in immunology.