Before microscopes, the world of cells and microbes was a mystery, invisible to even the sharpest minds. But once scientists learned to bend light and magnify the unseen, biology was transformed forever. In this article, we’ll explore this journey from simple lenses to the cutting-edge technologies that reshaped science, medicine, and our understanding of the living world. Details >
Knowledge Base
Have you ever wondered how superresolution microscopy works? What’s the difference between STED, STORM, and MINFLUX? What is “resolution” and what is a “PSF”? What is so special about the STEDYCON? Read on to find out.
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What is the resolution of a STED microscope?
STED can far exceed the resolution of a standard confocal microscope, which is limited to about 200 nm by diffraction. A moderate resolution increase is readily achievable with standard protocols. Going all the way requires some effort, but the payoff is remarkable. Are you ready to unlock the nanoworld? Details >
Confocal and multi-photon microscopy are used for deep tissue imaging, but misconceptions about their utility have led to their misuse. We’ll plunge into tissue depths to reveal a gap in obtaining sharp images that RAYSHAPE – a solution for dynamic aberration correction – fills with clarity and brightness. Details >
Expansion microscopy turns the attention to the specimen. It achieves high-resolution images via a chemical rather than optical approach. Preserved specimens are physically enlarged within a swellable hydrogel to allow 3D nano-imaging using conventional microscopes. Tuning the sample may sound tempting, but it comes with some relevant drawbacks. Details >
How does STED work?
You have heard of STED but don’t have a clear idea how it overcomes the diffraction-limited resolution of confocal microscopes? You maybe even think it to be somewhat complicated? In fact, it isn’t. It’s just physics, smartly applied. Details >
The donut-shaped de-excitation beam is one of the most important practical ingredients for superresolution STED microscopy. But how do you put a hole into a beam of light? Surprisingly, it’s not that difficult if you know how to do it, but it’s very difficult to get it right in practice. Details >
What has to be inside a STED microscope to achieve superresolution? How does its hardware differ from a confocal setup? (Hint: Not very much.) And what does that mean for the user? (Many good things.) Is handling a STED system any more complicated than using a confocal? (Not really.) Important questions – here are some in-depth answers. Details >
Since the 1990s, confocal microscopes have been a staple in labs visualizing biological or material specimens. The development of STED microscopy prompted the question: how does the established confocal microscope compare to the (now not so) “new kid on the block”? Details >
For centuries, conventional light microscopy was and continues to be the workhorse of labs to visualize cells and cellular details. But the advent of electron microscopy brought about a new level of detail. Let's take a closer look at the two techniques. Details >