Expansion microscopy: principles and uses in biological research

Many biological investigations require 3D imaging of cells or tissues with nanoscale spatial resolution. We recently discovered that preserved biological specimens can be physically expanded in an isotropic fashion through a chemical process. Expansion microscopy (ExM) allows nanoscale imaging of bi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNature methods Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 33 - 41
Main Authors Wassie, Asmamaw T, Zhao, Yongxin, Boyden, Edward S
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Nature Publishing Group 01.01.2019
Subjects
Absorbable implants
Analysis
Biochemistry
Biological research
Biomedical Research
Biomolecules
Democratization
Microscopes
Microscopy
Microscopy - methods
Organic chemistry
Spatial discrimination
Spatial resolution
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Summary:Many biological investigations require 3D imaging of cells or tissues with nanoscale spatial resolution. We recently discovered that preserved biological specimens can be physically expanded in an isotropic fashion through a chemical process. Expansion microscopy (ExM) allows nanoscale imaging of biological specimens with conventional microscopes, decrowds biomolecules in support of signal amplification and multiplexed readout chemistries, and makes specimens transparent. We review the principles of how ExM works, advances in the technology made by our group and others, and its applications throughout biology and medicine.
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AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS
All authors contributed to the writing and have read and agreed to the content.
ISSN:1548-7091
1548-7105
DOI:10.1038/s41592-018-0219-4