Non-bleaching Super-resolution Imaging of Cell Dynamics

Understanding mammalian cell functions have been a key factor for medical diagnostics and treatment. These dynamics range from sub-second protein folding to differentiation that last days. In recent years fluorescence imaging has enabled the observation of cell features. However, observation of the highly dynamic cellular activities has been severely hindered by both photobleaching and limited optical resolution. Here we present plasmonic nanoscopy that combines high-speed and high-precision polarization modulation imaging with plasmonic nanoparticles as imaging contrast agents to achieve non-bleaching, super-resolution imaging. Using our technique, we demonstrated long-term imaging of protein networks with subdiffraction resolution over long timescales.

Chair:  Professor Somin Eunice Lee