Three-dimensional imaging of cells or tissues is a crucial method in cellular and molecular biology due to its capability to identify and localise diverse biomolecules at the nanoscale. Recently, an approach has become very popular which can physically and isotropically expand a biological specimen through a chemical process by embedding the sample in a swellable polymer. Expansion microscopy (ExM) allows for super-resolution imaging of biological samples with conventional microscopes, supporting signal amplification and multiple labelling. Here we present the principles of ExM, its advantages and limits, and possible applications in biology and medicine.
Expansion microscopy
Pesce, Luca;Diaspro, Alberto;
2021-01-01
Abstract
Three-dimensional imaging of cells or tissues is a crucial method in cellular and molecular biology due to its capability to identify and localise diverse biomolecules at the nanoscale. Recently, an approach has become very popular which can physically and isotropically expand a biological specimen through a chemical process by embedding the sample in a swellable polymer. Expansion microscopy (ExM) allows for super-resolution imaging of biological samples with conventional microscopes, supporting signal amplification and multiple labelling. Here we present the principles of ExM, its advantages and limits, and possible applications in biology and medicine.
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