Superresolution imaging for neuroscience

Abstract

The advent of superresolution fluorescence microscopy beyond the classic diffraction barrier of optical microscopy is poised to transform cell-biological research. A series of proof-of-principle studies have demonstrated its vast potential for a wide range of applications in neuroscience, including nanoscale imaging of neuronal morphology, cellular organelles, protein distributions and protein trafficking. This review introduces the main incarnations of these new methodologies, including STED, PALM/STORM and SIM, covering basic theoretical and practical aspects concerning their optical principles, technical implementation, scope and limitations. In addition, it highlights several discoveries relating to synapse biology that have been made using these novel approaches to illustrate their appeal for neuroscience research.