Super-resolution imaging is an advanced form of microscopy that allows a 10 fold improvement in the resolution that can be obtained compared to confocal light microscopy. To obtain this improvement in resolution, fluorescently labelled molecules are driven to ‘blink’ stochastically, such that only a small number of molecules are fluorescent at any one time, and their positions accurately determined. As a model system, we will image the organisation of proteins in Z-discs of cardiomyocytes (100nm wide) in normal and diseased cells.
MRC remit: This technique provides very detailed images on protein organisation within cells and is applicable to almost all of the areas of biology that MRC supports. It also fits with enabling new ways of working, in that this area of research is underpinning and driving new technological approaches.