Functional Superresolution imaging

The biomolecules in a cell are constantly conducting their biochemical business. They do not work just anywhere, but seek out specific "rooms" to perform their particular tasks. 

In cells, these dedicated spaces are called micro-/nano-domains, and are more difficult to understand. First, they are below the optical diffraction limit and invisible to normal microscopy. Second, revealing a nano-domain's location is only part of the story. Since they have an activity dimension, we also need to detect and quantify which, and how much, enzymatic activity is taking place. The context and identity of the other molecular players involved is also important. All of these characteristics will ebb and swell - so we must follow how nano-domains change over time in live cells. 

We continue to refine a series of methods to visualize this, and now have two sets of tools called FLINC and FINICI that covers a variety of biosensing needs. This allows us to examine the intricate cell biochemistry hidden behind the closed doors of nano-domains.