Super-resolution microscope

The super-resolution microscope is a new generation of microscope known as a nanoscope.

Super-resolution microscopy technique

Super-resolution microscopes or nanoscopes can view objects at a resolution of less than a micrometer down to the nanometre scale. These microscopes however still use a light beam, diffraction of which prevents resolution of less than 0.2 micrometers. The principle on the super-resolution microscope works is observation of a single molecule at a time that can then be located exactly at the centre of the light spot received. There are several techniques in super-resolution microscopy:

• STED;
• PALM/STORM;
• SIM;
• dynamic super-resolution…

Use of the super-resolution microscope

These super-resolution microscopes are optimised for very precise observation of sub-cellular structures. Fluorescent living tissues can be examined, particularly those in which the specific proteins have been made fluorescent by binding with GFP or RFP or by immunolabelling.