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We present an interferometric spectral-domain optical coherence tomography microscopy setup to detect structural changes using interference of light reflected from different interfaces of the sample. We induce a reproducible nanometer-scale size change in dye-doped 10-µm polystyrene microspheres by the release of Stokes shift energy of dye molecules inside the microspheres, excited by a modulated 532-nm laser. The resulting optical path length difference was measured with a sensitivity of 0.4 p m / H z limited by photodetection noise, and reveals elastic as well as inelastic responses, which opens up possibilities for measuring the response of cell-sized biological objects.

In this work, using a custom-built Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography microscopy setup we measured expansion caused by heat dissipation during fluorescence emission in dye-doped polystyrene microspheres with 70 pm sensitivity.

Fiducial markers are used in correlated light and electron microscopy (CLEM) to enable accurate overlaying of fluorescence and electron microscopy images. Currently used fiducial markers, e.g. dye‐labelled nanoparticles and quantum dots, suffer from irreversible quenching of the luminescence after electron beam exposure. This limits their use in CLEM, since samples have to be studied with light microscopy before the sample can be studied with electron microscopy. Robust fiducial markers, i.e. luminescent labels that can (partially) withstand electron bombardment, are interesting because of the recent development of integrated CLEM microscopes. In addition, nonintegrated CLEM setups may benefit from such fiducial markers. Such markers would allow switching back from EM to LM and are not available yet. Here, we investigate the robustness of various luminescent nanoparticles (NPs) that have good contrast in electron microscopy; 130 nm gold‐core rhodamine B‐labelled silica particles, 15 nm CdSe/CdS/ZnS core–shell–shell quantum dots (QDs) and 230 nm Y2O3:Eu3+ particles. Robustness is studied by measuring the luminescence of (single) NPs after various cycles of electron beam exposure. The gold‐core rhodamine B‐labelled silica NPs and QDs are quenched after a single exposure to 60 ke− nm–2 with an energy of 120 keV, while Y2O3:Eu3+ NPs are robust and still show luminescence after five doses of 60 ke− nm–2. In addition, the luminescence intensity of Y2O3:Eu3+ NPs is investigated as function of electron dose for various electron fluxes. The luminescence intensity initially drops to a constant value well above the single particle detection limit. The intensity loss does not depend on the electron flux, but on the total electron dose. The results indicate that Y2O3:Eu3+ NPs are promising as robust fiducial marker in CLEM.

Intracellular processes depend on a strict spatial and temporal organization of proteins and organelles. Directly linking molecular to nanoscale ultrastructural information is therefore crucial to understand cellular physiology. Volume or 3-dimensional (3D) correlative light and electron microscopy (volume-CLEM) holds unique potential to explore cellular physiology at high-resolution ultrastructural detail across cell volumes. Application of volume-CLEM is however hampered by limitations in throughput and 3D correlation efficiency. Addressing these limitations, we here describe a novel pipeline for volume-CLEM that provides high-precision (SignificanceWe have developed a correlative imaging pipeline to (i) correlate 3D-FM to volume-EM data with high precision, directly bridging the FM and EM resolutions (ii) achieve high-throughput volume-CLEM by targeted EM imaging of a single organelle sized region-of-interest, pre-identified by FM (iii) link live-cell fluorescence imaging of cultured mammalian cells to high-throughput volume-CLEM (iv) quantitatively study structure-function relations at subcellular scale (v) link rare (e.g. membrane contact sites) and transient (e.g. organelle interactions) cellular events to 3D ultrastructure.The targeted volume-CLEM pipeline provides a unique prospect for multi-modal correlative intracellular analysis combining dynamic interaction (live-cell imaging), functional state (live-cell imaging), molecular localization (FM), and 3D-ultrastructure (FIB.SEM) at nanometer scale.

The application of both fluorescence and electron microscopy results in a powerful combination of imaging modalities called "correlative light and electron microscopy" (CLEM). Whereas conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) tomography is only able to image sections up to a thickness of ~300nm, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) tomography at 200kV allows the analysis of sections up to a thickness of 900nm in three dimensions. In the current study we have successfully integrated STEM tomography into CLEM as demonstrated for human retinal pigment epithelial 1 (RPE1) cells expressing various fluorescent fusion proteins which were high-pressure frozen and then embedded in Lowicryl HM20. Fluorescently labeled gold nanoparticles were applied onto resin sections and imaged by fluorescence and electron microscopy. STEM tomograms were recorded at regions of interest, and overlays were generated using the eC-CLEM software package. Through the nuclear staining of living cells, the use of fluorescently labeled gold fiducials for the generation of overlays, and the integration of STEM tomography we have markedly extended the application of the Kukulski protocol (Kukulski et al., 2011, 2012). Various fluorescently tagged proteins localizing to different cellular organelles could be assigned to their ultrastructural compartments. By combining STEM tomography with on-section CLEM, fluorescently tagged proteins can be localized in three-dimensional ultrastructural environments with a volume of at least 2.7×2.7×0.5μm.

The application of both fluorescence and electron microscopy results in a powerful combination of imaging modalities called "correlative light and electron microscopy" (CLEM). Whereas conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) tomography is only able to image sections up to a thickness of ~300nm, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) tomography at 200kV allows the analysis of sections up to a thickness of 900nm in three dimensions. In the current study we have successfully integrated STEM tomography into CLEM as demonstrated for human retinal pigment epithelial 1 (RPE1) cells expressing various fluorescent fusion proteins which were high-pressure frozen and then embedded in Lowicryl HM20. Fluorescently labeled gold nanoparticles were applied onto resin sections and imaged by fluorescence and electron microscopy. STEM tomograms were recorded at regions of interest, and overlays were generated using the eC-CLEM software package. Through the nuclear staining of living cells, the use of fluorescently labeled gold fiducials for the generation of overlays, and the integration of STEM tomography we have markedly extended the application of the Kukulski protocol (Kukulski et al., 2011, 2012). Various fluorescently tagged proteins localizing to different cellular organelles could be assigned to their ultrastructural compartments. By combining STEM tomography with on-section CLEM, fluorescently tagged proteins can be localized in three-dimensional ultrastructural environments with a volume of at least 2.7×2.7×0.5μm.

Colloidal copper(I) sulfide (Cu2–xS) nanocrystals (NCs) have attracted much attention for a wide range of applications because of their unique optoelectronic properties, driving scientists to explore the potential of using Cu2–xS NCs as seeds in the synthesis of heteronanocrystals to achieve new multifunctional materials. Herein, we developed a multistep synthesis strategy toward Cu2–xS/ZnS heteronanorods. The Janus-type Cu2–xS/ZnS heteronanorods are obtained by the injection of hexagonal high-chalcocite Cu2–xS seed NCs in a hot zinc oleate solution in the presence of suitable surfactants, 20 s after the injection of sulfur precursors. The Cu2–xS seed NCs undergo rapid aggregation and coalescence in the first few seconds after the injection, forming larger NCs that act as the effective seeds for heteronucleation and growth of ZnS. The ZnS heteronucleation occurs on a single (100) facet of the Cu2–xS seed NCs and is followed by fast anisotropic growth along a direction that is perpendicular to the c-axis, thus leading to Cu2–xS/ZnS Janus-type heteronanorods with a sharp heterointerface. Interestingly, the high-chalcocite crystal structure of the injected Cu2–xS seed NCs is preserved in the Cu2–xS segments of the heteronanorods because of the high-thermodynamic stability of this Cu2–xS phase. The Cu2–xS/ZnS heteronanorods are subsequently converted into single-component Cu2–xS and CuInS2 nanorods by postsynthetic topotactic cation exchange. This work expands the possibilities for the rational synthesis of colloidal multicomponent heteronanorods by allowing the design principles of postsynthetic heteroepitaxial seeded growth and nanoscale cation exchange to be combined, yielding access to a plethora of multicomponent heteronanorods with diameters in the quantum confinement regime.

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) using colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) and dyes is of importance in a wide range of biological and biophysical studies. Here, we report a study on FRET between CuInS2/ZnS QDs and dark quencher dye molecules (IRDye QC-1). Oleate-capped QDs with photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) of 55 ± 4% are transferred into water by using two types of multifunctional polymer ligands combining imidazole groups and specific moieties with amine or methoxy groups as the terminal sites. The resulting water-dispersible QDs show PLQYs as high as 44 ± 4% and exhibit long-term colloidal stability (at least 10 months at 4 °C in the dark) with a hydrodynamic diameter of less than 20 nm. A side-by-side comparison experiment was performed using the amine or methoxy-functionalized QDs for coupling to dark quencher dye molecules. The amine-functionalized QDs bind to the dye molecules via covalent bonds, while methoxy-functionalized ones bind only weakly and nonspecifically. The progressive quenching of the QD emission and shortening of its photoluminescence decay time upon increasing the number of conjugated dye molecules demonstrate that the QD acts as the energy donor and the dark quencher dye as the energy acceptor in a donor-acceptor FRET pair. The FRET dynamics of the QD-dye conjugates are simulated using two different models based on the possible origin of the multiexponential PL decay of the QDs (i.e., variations in nonradiative or radiative decay rates). The model based on the radiative decay rates provides a better fit of our experimental data and estimates a donor-acceptor distance (6.5 nm) that matches well the hydrodynamic radius of the amine-functionalized QDs.

In correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM), the capabilities of fluorescence microscopy (FM) and electron microscopy (EM) are united. FM combines a large field of view with high sensitivity for detecting fluorescence, which makes it an excellent tool for identifying regions of interest. EM has a much smaller field of view but offers superb resolution that allows studying cellular ultrastructure. In CLEM, the potentials of both techniques are combined but a limiting factor is the large difference in resolution between the two imaging modalities. Adding super resolution FM to CLEM reduces the resolution gap between FM and EM; it offers the possibility of identifying multiple targets within the diffraction limit and can increase correlation accuracy. CLEM is usually carried out in two separate setups, which requires transfer of the sample. This may result in distortion and damage of the specimen, which can complicate finding back regions of interest. By integrating the two imaging modalities, such problems can be avoided. Here, an integrated super resolution correlative microscopy approach is presented based on a wide-field super resolution FM integrated in a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Switching imaging modalities is accomplished by rotation of the TEM sample holder. First imaging experiments are presented on sections of Lowicryl embedded Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells labeled for Caveolin both with Protein A-Gold, and Alexa Fluor®647. TEM and FM images were overlaid using fiducial markers visible in both imaging modalities with an overlay accuracy of 28 ± 11 nm. This is close to the optical resolution of ~50 nm.

Aerobic glycolysis, characterized by pyruvate reduction to lactate, serves proliferation in cancer cells and stem cells. To clarify whether this metabolic profile is universal to epithelial stem cells, despite vast differences in physiological turnover rates, we characterized the metabolic phenotype of bipotent liver progenitors (low turnover) relative to intestinal progenitors (high turnover). Using human liver and intestinal organoids, we show high glycolytic fluxes which provide substrates for cellular building blocks and reducing equivalents in proliferating progenitors, compared to their quiescent differentiating counterparts. Similar to cancer and pluripotent stem cells, intestinal progenitors display aerobic glycolysis with pyruvate reduction to lactate to serve their high proliferative demands. Strikingly, liver progenitors combine high glycolysis with substantial mitochondrial oxidation of pyruvate, which they require for both proliferation and maintenance of stemness. This concurs with the anabolic and epigenetic effects of mitochondrial pyruvate oxidation and the homeostatic liver function with low physiological turnover rates.

The knowledge of the quantum dot (QD) concentration in a colloidal suspension and the quantitative understanding of the size-dependence of the band gap of QDs are of crucial importance from both applied and fundamental viewpoints. In this work, we investigate the size-dependence of the optical properties of nearly spherical wurtzite (wz) CuInS2 (CIS) QDs in the 2.7 to 6.1 nm diameter range (polydispersity ≤10%). The QDs are synthesized by partial Cu+ for In3+ cation exchange in template Cu2–xS nanocrystals, which yields CIS QDs with very small composition variations (In/Cu = 0.91 ± 0.11), regardless of their sizes. These well-defined QDs are used to investigate the size-dependence of the band gap of wz CIS QDs. A sizing curve is also constructed for chalcopyrite CIS QDs by collecting and reanalyzing literature data. We observe that both sizing curves follow primarily a 1/d dependence. Moreover, the molar absorption coefficients and the absorption cross-section per CIS formula unit, both at 3.1 eV and at the band gap, are analyzed. The results demonstrate that the molar absorption coefficients of CIS QDs follow a power law at the first exciton transition energy (εE1 = 5208d2.45) and scale with the QD volume at 3.1 eV. This latter observation implies that the absorption cross-section per unit cell at 3.1 eV is size-independent and therefore can be estimated from bulk optical constants. These results also demonstrate that the molar absorption coefficients at 3.1 eV are more reliable for analytical purposes, since they are less sensitive to size and shape dispersion.

Developments in microscopy have been instrumental to progress in the life sciences, and many new techniques have been introduced and led to new discoveries throughout the last century. A wide and diverse range of methodologies is now available, including electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, small-angle x-ray scattering and multiple super-resolution fluorescence techniques, and each of these methods provides valuable read-outs to meet the demands set by the samples under study. Yet, the investigation of cell development requires a multi-parametric approach to address both the structure and spatio-temporal organization of organelles, and also the transduction of chemical signals and forces involved in cell-cell interactions. Although the microscopy technologies for observing each of these characteristics are well developed, none of them can offer read-out of all characteristics simultaneously, which limits the information content of a measurement. For example, while electron microscopy is able to disclose the structural layout of cells and the macromolecular arrangement of proteins, it cannot directly follow dynamics in living cells. The latter can be achieved with fluorescence microscopy which, however, requires labelling and lacks spatial resolution. A remedy is to combine and correlate different readouts from the same specimen, which opens new avenues to understand structure-function relations in biomedical research. At the same time, such correlative approaches pose new challenges concerning sample preparation, instrument stability, region of interest retrieval, and data analysis. Because the field of correlative microscopy is relatively young, the capabilities of the various approaches have yet to be fully explored, and uncertainties remain when considering the best choice of strategy and workflow for the correlative experiment. With this in mind, the Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics presents a special roadmap on the correlative microscopy techniques, giving a comprehensive overview from various leading scientists in this field, via a collection of multiple short viewpoints. ispartof: JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS vol:51 issue:44 ispartof: location:England status: published

Early detection of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) can enable timely therapeutic and preventive interventions for patients. In this study, in vivo nonlinear optical imaging (NLOI) based on two-photon excitation fluorescence (TPEF) and second harmonic generation (SHG), was used to non-invasively detect microscopic changes occurring in murine skin treated topically with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). The optical microscopic findings and the measured TPEF-SHG index show that NLOI was able to clearly detect early cytostructural changes in DMBA treated skin that appeared clinically normal. This suggests that in vivo NLOI could be a non-invasive tool to monitor early signs of cSCC. In vivo axial NLOI scans of normal murine skin (upper left), murine skin with preclinical hyperplasia (upper right), early clinical murine skin lesion (lower left) and late or advanced murine skin lesion (lower right).

Timely detection of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with non-invasive modalities like nonlinear spectral imaging (NLSI) can ensure efficient preventive or therapeutic measures for patients. In this study, in vivo NLSI was used to study spectral characteristics in murine skin treated with 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene. The results show that NLSI could detect emission spectral changes during the early preclinical stages of skin carcinogenesis. Analyzing these emission spectra using simulated bandpass filters at 450-460 nm and 525-535 nm, gave parameters that were expressed as a ratio. This ratio was increased and thus suggestive of elevated metabolic activity in early stages of skin carcinogenesis. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America

Nonlinear optical imaging (NLOI) has emerged to be a promising tool for bio-medical imaging in recent times. Among the various applications of NLOI, its utility is the most significant in the field of pre-clinical and clinical cancer research. This review begins by briefly covering the core principles involved in NLOI, such as two-photon excitation fluorescence (TPEF) and second harmonic generation (SHG). Subsequently, there is a short description on the various cellular components that contribute to endogenous optical fluorescence. Later on the review deals with its main theme – the challenges faced during label-free NLO imaging in translational cancer research. While this review addresses the accomplishment of various label-free NLOI based studies in cancer diagnostics, it also touches upon the limitations of the mentioned studies. In addition, areas in cancer research that need to be further investigated by label-free NLOI are discussed in a latter segment. The review eventually concludes on the note that label-free NLOI has and will continue to contribute richly in translational cancer research, to eventually provide a very reliable, yet minimally invasive cancer diagnostic tool for the patient.

Skin contains many autofluorescent components that can be studied using spectral imaging. We employed a spectral phasor method to analyse two photon excited autofluorescence and second harmonic generation images of in vivo human skin. This method allows segmentation of images based on spectral features. Various structures in the skin could be distinguished, including Stratum Corneum, epidermal cells and dermis. The spectral phasor analysis allowed investigation of their fluorescence composition and identification of signals from NADH, keratin, FAD, melanin, collagen and elastin. Interestingly, two populations of epidermal cells could be distinguished with different melanin content.

High power femto-second (fs) laser pulses used for in-vivo nonlinear optical (NLO) imaging can form cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) in DNA, which may lead to carcinogenesis via subsequent mutations. Since UV radiation from routine sun exposure is the primary source of CPD lesions, we evaluated the risk of CPD-related squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in human skin due to NLO imaging relative to that from sun exposure. We developed a unique cancer risk model expanding previously published estimation of risk from exposure to continuous wave (CW) laser. This new model showed that the increase in CPD-related SCC in skin from NLO imaging is negligible above that due to regular sun exposure.

SummaryIn neurons, the distinct molecular composition of axons and dendrites is established through polarized targeting mechanisms, but it is currently unclear how nonpolarized cargoes, such as mitochondria, become uniformly distributed over these specialized neuronal compartments. Here, we show that TRAK family adaptor proteins, TRAK1 and TRAK2, which link mitochondria to microtubule-based motors, are required for axonal and dendritic mitochondrial motility and utilize different transport machineries to steer mitochondria into axons and dendrites. TRAK1 binds to both kinesin-1 and dynein/dynactin, is prominently localized in axons, and is needed for normal axon outgrowth, whereas TRAK2 predominantly interacts with dynein/dynactin, is more abundantly present in dendrites, and is required for dendritic development. These functional differences follow from their distinct conformations: TRAK2 preferentially adopts a head-to-tail interaction, which interferes with kinesin-1 binding and axonal transport. Our study demonstrates how the molecular interplay between bidirectional adaptor proteins and distinct microtubule-based motors drives polarized mitochondrial transport.

Lanthanide ions are promising for the labeling of silica nanoparticles with a specific luminescent fingerprint due to their sharp line emission at characteristic wavelengths. With the increasing use of silica nanoparticles in consumer products, it is important to label silica nanoparticles in order to trace the biodistribution, both in the environment and living organisms. In this work, we synthesized LaPO4 nanocrystals (NCs) with sizes ranging from 4 to 8 nm doped with europium or cerium and terbium. After silica growth using an inverse micelle method, monodisperse silica spheres were obtained with a single LaPO4 NC in the center. We demonstrate that the size of the silica spheres can be tuned in the 25–55 nm range by addition of small volumes of methanol during the silica growth reaction. Both the LaPO4 core and silica nanocrystal showed sharp line emission characteristic for europium and terbium providing unique optical labels in silica nanoparticles of variable sizes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s11671-016-1465-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The effects of pressurised compressive chip pre-treatment and low dosage sulphite pre-treatment were evaluated for production of thermomechanical pulp in mill scale trials using Norway spruce (Picea abies) at the Braviken paper mill (Holmen Paper AB, Sweden). The general aim of the study was to improve the energy efficiency during the production of mechanical pulps suitable for news and improved news grade papers. The pressurised compressive chip pre-treatment performed in an Impressafiner, resulted in a reduced acetone extractive content for first stage blow line pulp by up to 24%. Furthermore, pulp produced from mechanically pre-treated chips had higher tensile- and tear indices, elongation and light scattering and lower freeness compared to pulps from untreated chips produced with equal total specific energy consumption. The total specific energy consumption was reduced by 120 kWh/bone dry ton (6%) at equal tensile index, when pulps were produced together with the Impressafiner pre-treatment. Sulphite pre-treatment increased tensile index, elongation, density and brightness and reduced light scattering and shive content compared to pulps produced with only mechanical pre-treatment at equal specific energy consumption. The increase in tensile index and reduction in light scattering followed linear relations to the dosage of sodium sulphite in the measured dosage range (0-1.2% Na2SO3). The addition of ~1.2% sodium sulphite gave a sulphur content in pulp of ~0.67% (as Na2SO3) and reduced the specific energy consumption by 210-320 kWh/bdt (12-15%) when compared at equal tensile index. However, light scattering was not retained for this energy reduction. Further analyses showed that sulphite pre-treatment did not significantly affect the distribution of the Bauer-McNett fractions or the fibre length for pulps refined with equal specific energy consumption but did increase fibre delamination/internal fibrillation as measured by Fernando and Daniel’s (2010) version of Simons’ staining. The specific energy consumption for pulps produced with sulphite pre-treatment (1.2% Na2SO3) and double disc refining were 650 kWh/bdt (30%) lower than for pulps produced in a two stage single disc refiner line (no pre-treatment), when compared at a similar tensile index and light scattering coefficient.

Fluorescence lifetime imaging is a versatile tool that permits mapping the biochemical environment in the cell. Among various fluorescence lifetime imaging techniques, time-correlated single photon counting and time-gating methods have been demonstrated to be very efficient and robust for the imaging of biological specimens. Recently, the phasor representation of lifetime images became popular because it provides an intuitive graphical view of the fluorescence lifetime content of the images and, when used for global analysis, significantly improves the overall S/N of lifetime analysis. Compared to time-correlated single photon counting, time gating methods can provide higher count rates (∼10 MHz) but at the cost of truncating and under sampling the decay curve due to the limited number of gates commonly used. These limitations also complicate the implementation of the phasor analysis for time-gated data. In this work, we propose and validate a theoretical framework that overcomes these problems. This modified approach is tested on both simulated lifetime images and on cells. We demonstrate that this method is able to retrieve two lifetimes from time gating data that cannot be resolved using standard (non-global) fitting techniques. The new approach increases the information that can be obtained from typical measurements and simplifies the analysis of fluorescence lifetime imaging data.

The current activation model of the EGF receptor (EGFR) predicts that binding of EGF results in dimerization and oligomerization of the EGFR, leading to the allosteric activation of the intracellular tyrosine kinase. Little is known about the regulatory mechanism of receptor oligomerization. In this study, we have employed FRET between identical fluorophores (homo-FRET) to monitor the dimerization and oligomerization state of the EGFR before and after receptor activation. Our data show that, in the absence of ligand, ∼40% of the EGFR molecules were present as inactive dimers or predimers. The monomer/predimer ratio was not affected by deletion of the intracellular domain. Ligand binding induced the formation of receptor oligomers, which were found in both the plasma membrane and intracellular structures. Ligand-induced oligomerization required tyrosine kinase activity and nine different tyrosine kinase substrate residues. This indicates that the binding of signaling molecules to activated EGFRs results in EGFR oligomerization. Induction of EGFR predimers or pre-oligomers using the EGFR fused to the FK506-binding protein did not affect signaling but was found to enhance EGF-induced receptor internalization. Our data show that EGFR oligomerization is the result of EGFR signaling and enhances EGFR internalization.

In endothelial cells specifically, cPLA2alpha translocates from the cytoplasm to the Golgi complex in response to cell confluence. Considering the link between confluence and cell-cell junction formation, and the emerging role of cPLA2alpha in intracellular trafficking, we tested whether Golgi-associated cPLA2alpha is involved in the trafficking of junction proteins. Here, we show that the redistribution of cPLA2alpha from the cytoplasm to the Golgi correlates with adherens junction maturation and occurs before tight junction formation. Disruption of adherens junctions using a blocking anti-VE-cadherin antibody reverses the association of cPLA2alpha with the Golgi. Silencing of cPLA2alpha and inhibition of cPLA2alpha enzymatic activity using various inhibitors result in the diminished presence of the transmembrane junction proteins VE-cadherin, occludin, and claudin-5 at cell-cell contacts, and in their accumulation at the Golgi. Altogether, our data support the idea that VE-cadherin triggers the relocation of cPLA2alpha to the Golgi and that in turn, Golgi-associated cPLA2alpha regulates the transport of transmembrane junction proteins through or from the Golgi, thereby controlling the integrity of endothelial cell-cell junctions.

Background information. Treatment of cells with UVC radiation leads to the formation of DNA cross-links which, if not repaired, can lead to apoptosis. γ-H2AX and cleaved caspase 3 are proteins formed during UVC-induced DNA damage and apoptosis respectively. The present study sets out to identify early morphological markers of apoptosis using a new method of correlative microscopy, ILEM (integrated laser electron microscopy). Cleaved caspase 3 and γ-H2AX were immunofluorescently labelled to mark the cells of interest. These cells were subsequently searched in the fluorescence mode of the ILEM and further analysed at high resolution with TEM (transmission electron microscopy). Results. Following the treatment of HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells) with UVC radiation, in the majority of the cells γ-H2AX was formed, whereas only in a subset of cells caspase 3 was activated. In severely damaged cells with high levels of γ-H2AX a round, electron-dense nuclear structure was found, which was hitherto not identified in UV-stressed cells. This structure exists only in nuclei of cells containing cleaved caspase 3 and is present during all stages of the apoptotic process. Energy-loss imaging showed that the nuclear structure accumulates phosphorus, indicating that it is rich in nucleic acids. Because the nuclear structure did not label for DNA and was not affected by regressive EDTA treatment, it is suggested that the UV-induced nuclear structure contains a high amount of RNA. Conclusions. Because the UV-induced nuclear structure was only found in cells labelled for cleaved caspase 3 it is proposed as an electron microscopic marker for all stages of apoptosis. Such a marker will especially facilitate the screening for early apoptotic cells, which lack the well-known hallmarks of apoptosis within a cell population. It also raises new questions on the mechanisms involved in the UV-induced apoptotic pathway.

A scanning microscope utilizing two-photon excitation in combination with fluorescence lifetime contrast is presented. The microscope makes use of a tunable femtosecond titanium:sapphire laser enabling the two-photon excitation of a broad range of fluorescent molecules, including UV probes. Importantly, the penetration depth of the two-photon exciting (infra)red light is substantially greater than for the corresponding single-photon wavelength while photobleaching is significantly reduced. The time structure of the Ti:Sa laser can be employed in a straightforward way for the realization of fluorescence lifetime imaging. The fluorescence lifetime is sensitive to the local environment of the fluorescent molecule. This behaviour can be used for example to quantify concentrations of ions, such as pH and Ca2+, or pO2 and pCO2. In the set-up presented here the fluorescence lifetime imaging is accomplished by time-gated single photon counting. The performance and optical properties of the microscope are investigated by a number of test measurements on fluorescent test beads. Point-spread functions calculated from measurements on 230-nm beads using an iterative restoration procedure compare well with theoretical expectations. Lifetime imaging experiments on a test target containing two different types of test bead in a fluorescent buffer all with different lifetimes (2.15 ns, 2.56 ns and 3.34 ns) show excellent quantitative agreement with reference values obtained from time correlated single photon counting measurements. Moreover, the standard deviation in the results can be wholly ascribed to the photon statistics. Measurements of acridine orange stained biofilms are presented as an example of the potential of two-photon excitation combined with fluorescence lifetime contrast. Fluorescence lifetime and intensity images were recorded over the whole sample depth of 100 μm. Fluorescence intensity imaging is seriously hampered by the rapid decrease of the fluorescence signal as a function of the depth into the sample. Fluorescence lifetime imaging on the other hand is not affected by the decrease of the fluorescence intensity.

The suggestion that microdomains may function as signaling platforms arose from the presence of growth factor receptors, such as the EGFR, in biochemically isolated lipid raft fractions. To investigate the role of EGFR activation in the organization of lipid rafts we have performed FLIM analyses using putative lipid raft markers such as ganglioside GM1 and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored GFP (GPI-GFP). The EGFR was labeled using single domain antibodies from Llama glama that specifically bind the EGFR without stimulating its kinase activity. Our FLIM analyses demonstrate a cholesterol-independent colocalization of GM1 with EGFR, which was not observed for the transferrin receptor. By contrast, a cholesterol-dependent colocalization was observed for GM1 with GPI-GFP. In the resting state no colocalization was observed between EGFR and GPI-GFP, but stimulation of the cell with EGF resulted in the colocalization at the nanoscale level of EGFR and GPI-GFP. Moreover, EGF induced the enrichment of GPI-GFP in a detergent-free lipid raft fraction. Our results suggest that EGF induces the coalescence of the two types of GM1-containing microdomains that might lead to the formation of signaling platforms.

We demonstrate the capability of nonlinear spectral imaging microscopy (NSIM) in investigating ultraviolet and visible light induced effects on albino Skh:HR-1 hairless mouse skin non-invasively.

The deep tissue penetration and submicron spatial resolution of multiphoton microscopy and the high detection efficiency and nanometer spectral resolution of a spectrograph were utilized to record spectral images of the intrinsic emission of mouse skin tissues. Autofluorescence from both cellular and extracellular structures, second-harmonic signal from collagen, and a narrowband emission related to Raman scattering of collagen were detected. Visualization of the spectral images by wavelength-to-RGB color image conversion allowed us to identify and discriminate tissue structures such as epidermal keratinocytes, lipid-rich corneocytes, intercellular structures, hair follicles, collagen, elastin, and dermal cells. Our results also showed morphological and spectral differences between excised tissue section, thick excised tissue, and in vivo tissue samples of mouse skin. Results on collagen excitation at different wavelengths suggested that the origin of the narrowband emission was collagen Raman peaks. Moreover, the oscillating spectral dependency of the collagen second-harmonic intensity was experimentally studied. Overall, spectral imaging provided a wealth of information not easily obtainable with present conventional multiphoton imaging systems.

Fluorescent proteins have become an invaluable tool in cell biology. The green fluorescent protein variant EGFP is especially widely applied. Use of fluorescent proteins, including EGFP, however can be hindered by inefficient protein folding, resulting in protein aggregation and reduced fluorescence. This is especially profound in prokaryotic cells. Furthermore, EBFP, a blue fluorescent variant of EGFP, is rarely used because of its dim fluorescence and fast photobleaching. Thus, efforts to improve properties such as protein folding, fluorescence brightness, and photostability are important. Strongly enhanced green fluorescent (SGFP2) and strongly enhanced blue fluorescent (SBFP2) proteins were created, based on EGFP and EBFP, respectively. We used site-directed mutagenesis to introduce several mutations, which were recently shown to improve the fluorescent proteins EYFP and ECFP. SGFP2 and SBFP2 exhibit faster and more efficient protein folding and accelerated chromophore oxidation in vitro. For both strongly enhanced fluorescent proteins, the photostability was improved 2-fold and the quantum yield of SBFP2 was increased 3-fold. The improved folding efficiency reduced the extent of protein aggregation in Escherichia coli, thereby increasing the brightness of bacteria expressing SGFP2 7-fold compared to the brightness of those expressing EGFP. Bacteria expressing SBFP2 were 16-fold more fluorescent than those expressing EBFP. In mammalian cells, the improvements were less pronounced. Cells expressing SGFP2 were 1.7-fold brighter than those expressing EGFP, which was apparently due to more efficient protein expression and/or chromophore maturation. Mammalian cells expressing SBFP2 were 3.7-fold brighter than cells expressing EBFP. This increase in brightness closely resembled the increase in intrinsic brightness observed for the purified recombinant protein. The increased maturation efficiency and photostability of SGFP2 and SBFP2 facilitate detection and extend the maximum duration of fluorescence imaging.

Lifetime and spectral imaging are complementary techniques that offer a non-invasive solution for monitoring metabolic processes, identifying biochemical compounds, and characterizing their interactions in biological tissues, among other tasks. Newly developed instruments that perform time-resolved spectral imaging can provide even more information and reach higher sensitivity than either modality alone. Here we report a multispectral lifetime imaging system based on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), capable of operating at high photon count rates (12 MHz) per spectral detection channel, and with time resolution of 200 ps. We performed error analyses to investigate the effect of gate width and spectral-channel width on the accuracy of estimated lifetimes and spectral widths. Temporal and spectral phasors were used for analysis of recorded data, and we demonstrated blind un-mixing of the fluorescent components using information from both modalities. Fractional intensities, spectra, and decay curves of components were extracted without need for prior information. We further tested this approach with fluorescently doubly-labeled DNA, and demonstrated its suitability for accurately estimating FRET efficiency in the presence of either non-interacting or interacting donor molecules.

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy presents a powerful tool in biology and biophysics because it allows the investigation of the local environment of a fluorochrome in living cells in a quantitative manner. Furthermore, imaging Förster-type resonance energy transfer (FRET) by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy enables protein-protein interactions and intermolecular distances to be mapped under physiological conditions. Quantitative and precise data analysis methods are required to access the richness of information that is contained in FRET data on biological samples. Lifetime detection in the frequency-domain yields two lifetime estimations. The lifetime moments analysis (LiMA) provides a quantitative measure of the lifetime distribution broadness by exploiting the analytical relationship between the phase- and demodulation-lifetime estimations and relating them to the weighted average and variance of the lifetime distribution. The LiMA theoretical framework is validated by comparison with global analysis and by applying it to a constrained two-component FRET system using simulations and experiments. Furthermore, a novel LIMA-based error analysis and a more intuitive formalism for global analysis are presented. Finally, a new method to resolve a FRET system is proposed and experimentally applied to the investigation of protein-protein interactions.

A fast time-domain based fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) microscope is presented that can operate at frame rates of hundreds of frames per second. A beam splitter in the detection path of a wide-field fluorescence microscope divides the fluorescence in two parts. One part is optically delayed with respect to the other. Both parts are viewed with a single time-gated intensified CCD camera with a gate width of 5 ns. The fluorescence lifetime image is obtained from the ratio of these two images. The fluorescence lifetime resolution of the FLIM microscope is verified both with dye solutions and fluorescent latex beads. The fluorescence lifetimes obtained from the reference specimens are in good agreement with values obtained from time correlated single photon counting measurements on the same specimens. The acquisition speed of the FLIM system is evaluated with a measurement of the calcium fluxes in neonatal rat myocytes stained with the calcium probe Oregon Green 488-Bapta. Fluorescence lifetime images of the calcium fluxes related to the beating of the myocytes are acquired with frame rates of up to 100 Hz.

In this paper a detailed discussion is presented of the factors that affect the fluorescence lifetime imaging performance of a scanning microscope equipped with a single photon counting based, two- to eight-channel, time-gated detection system. In particular we discuss the sensitivity, lifetime resolution, acquisition speed, and the shortest lifetimes that can be measured. Detection systems equipped with four to eight time-gates are significantly more sensitive than the two time-gate system. Only minor sensitivity differences were found between systems with four or more time-gates. Experiments confirm that the lifetime resolution is dominated by photon statistics. The time response of the detector determines the shortest lifetimes that can be resolved; about 25 ps for fast MCP-PMTs and 300-400 ps for other detectors. The maximum count rate of fast MCP-PMTs, however, is 10-100 times lower than that of fast PMTs. Therefore, the acquisition speed with MCP-PMT based systems is limited. With a fast PMT operated close to its maximum count rate we were able to record a fluorescence lifetime image of a beating myocyte in less than one second.

Monte Carlo simulations were employed to model FRET in systems that included interactions between multiple donors and acceptors and photobleaching. Simulations revealed that pixel-to-pixel variations in microscopy experiments can be due both to variations in the probe distribution and to photon noise, depending on the intensity and probes per detection pixel. The Monte Carlo simulations were used to describe fluorescence experiments on (single) actin filaments using a conventional fluorescence microscope. The filaments were labeled with TRITC at phalloidin and Cy5-maleimide at cys374 and the donor−acceptor distances were taken from literature. The images show a large pixel-to-pixel variation in the fluorescence intensity and suffer from photobleaching. In experiments, the main source of noise was the probe distribution. The acceptor suffered from rapid photobleaching, which resulted in an increase of the donor intensity in time and hampers the straightforward determination of the energy transfer efficienc...

Room-temperature time-resolved luminescence measurements on single CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) are presented. Fluorescence emission spectra were recorded over periods of up to 30 minutes with a time resolution as small as 6 ms. For QDs in ambient air, a clear 30–40 nm blue shift in the emission wavelength is observed, before the luminescence stops after about 2–3 minutes because of photobleaching. In a nitrogen atmosphere, the blue shift is absent while photobleaching occurs after much longer times (i.e., 10–15 minutes). These observations are explained by photoinduced oxidation. The CdSe surface is oxidized during illumination in the presence of oxygen. This effectively results in shrinkage of the CdSe core diameter by almost 1 nm and consequently in a blue shift. The faster fading of the luminescence in air suggests that photoinduced oxidation results in the formation of non-radiative recombination centers at the CdSe/CdSeOx interface. In a nitrogen atmosphere, photoinduced oxidation is prevented by the absence of oxygen. Additionally, a higher initial light output for CdSe/ZnS QDs in air is observed. This can be explained by a fast reduction of the lifetime of the long-lived defect states of CdSe QDs by oxygen.