Imaging Facility of MPI-IE

Understanding the roles gene products play in biological systems is a key challenge in the post-genomic era. Thanks to tremendous progress of instrumentation, software and molecular “tools” (genetically encoded fluorophores, ion sensors etc.), fluorescence microscopy evolved from an “illustrative” method to a stand-alone technology in modern life sciences. Fluorescence microscopy is in principle capable to visualize almost every structure and every event of interest. Details smaller than optical resolution limits can be visualized by recently developed “super-resolution” techniques. In many cases, dynamic non-invasive observations of live objects are possible, and quantitative information can be extracted, including those on concentration, specific interactions and mobility of a molecule of interest.