3D SIM/PALM Microscope

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 443931024

Our understanding of cell biological processes has increased dramatically in recent years. An important reason for this is the breathtaking development in the field of super-resolution microscopy. Various techniques such as “stimulated emission depletion“(STED) and structured illumination microscopy (SIM) have circumvented the resolution limit of light microscopy that has been formulated in Abbe´s law. The technique with so far best resolution is single molecule localization microscopy (also abbreviated PALM/STORM). With PALM/STORM, imaging single molecules can be resolved with precision of 2-20 nm. In vivo resolutions of 20-40 nm are commonly achievable. Therefore, the PALM/STORM technology is currently the best technique to resolve nanostructures of proteins in cells. Single molecule microscopy can also be used to track individual biomolecules (nucleic acids or proteins) in growing cells and allow detailed insights in the dynamic architecture of cells. Time lapse imaging of cells with high resolution are achieved using SIM. Classical SIM operates with stripe illuminations while new lattice SIM options allow gentle imaging with reduced photo-toxicity. A modern 3D SIM/PALM microscope closes this technical gap at the University of Kiel.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: 3D SIM/PALM Mikroskop
• Instrumentation Group: 5040 Spezielle Mikroskope (außer 500-503)
• Applicant Institution: Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
• Leader: Professor Dr. Marc Bramkamp