Robust scan synchronized force-fluorescence imaging

Abstract

Simultaneous atomic force microscope (AFM) and sample scanning confocal fluorescence microscope measurements are widely used to obtain mechanistic and structural insights into protein dynamics in live cells. However, the absence of a robust technique to synchronously scan both AFM and confocal microscope piezo stages makes it difficult to visualize force-induced changes in fluorescent protein distribution in cells. To address this challenge, we have built an integrated AFM-confocal fluorescence microscope platform that implements a synchronous scanning method which eliminates image artifacts from piezo motion ramping, produces intuitive, accurate pixel binning and enables the collection of a scanned image of a sample while applying force to the sample. As proof of principle, we use this instrument to monitor the redistribution of fluorescent E-cadherin, an essential transmembrane protein, in live cells, upon application of mechanical force.

Computational Portable Microscopes for Point-of-Care-Test and Tele-Diagnosis

“…For biological and medical detection and analysis, a microscope is a very important optical instrument, one which directly promotes the development of biotechnology, medicine and pathology. Nowadays, research-level and desktop microscopes have been widely used in medical centers and scientific institutes [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ], including bright-field microscopes, dark-field microscopes, fluorescence microscopes, Zernike-phase-contrast (ZPC) microscopes, differential-interference-contrast (DIC) microscopes, laser confocal microscopes and super-resolution microscopy imaging systems, etc. These traditional microscopy imaging systems are suitable for hospitals and research-level laboratories.…”