Recent Advances in Fluorescent Labeling Techniques for Fluorescence Microscopy

Abstract

AHCTremendous progress in recent computer-controlled systems for fluorescence and laserconfocal microscopy has provided us with powerful tools to visualize and analyze molecular events in the cells. Various fluorescent staining and labeling techniques have also been developed to be used with these powerful instruments. Fluorescent proteins such as green fluorescent protein (GFP) allow us to directly label particular proteins of interest in living cells. This technique has been extended over a large area of cell biology, and a variety of fluorescent protein-derived techniques have been developed to visualize the functions and conditions of the molecules within living cells. In this review, we summarize the techniques for fluorescent staining and labeling for recent fluorescence microscopy.

Quantitative Assessment of Neuronal Differentiation in Three-dimensional Collagen Gels Using Enhanced Green Fluorescence Protein Expressing PC12 Pheochromocytoma Cells

“…Over the last decade, the genes for GFP and other color proteins have been cloned and used for biological purposes (Suzuki et al 2007), providing an elegant approach which facilitates concomitant measurement of multiple proteins involved in the NGF-induced differentiation under 3-D conditions. Rationally designed matrices for neural engineering and cell therapy rely on a comprehensive understanding of 3-D cellular differentiation induced by neurotrophins, such as NGF.…”

Current standing and future prospects for the technologies proposed to transform toxicity testing in the 21st century

“…Fluorescence imaging is based on fluorescent labeling of specific targets in a biological system using dyes, probes, or proteins. Labeling techniques have expanded rapidly, creating many opportunities to study cell structures, messenger molecules, enzymatic activities, or protein functions (Suzuki et al, 2007;Fernandez-Suarez and Ting, 2008). Molecular techniques include the introduction of genetically encoded fluorescent proteins, such as green fluorescent protein (GFP) isolated from the jellyfish Aqueorea victoria (Chalfie et al, 1994).…”

A Human Inspired Local Ratio-Based Algorithm for Edge Detection in Fluorescent Cell Images

“…These images consist of A10 rat smooth vascular muscle cells and NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts stained with a Texas Red cell body stain [1]. We examined 16 fixed cell images, 8 images from each cell line that represent the variability observed in a culture.…”

“…The use of fluorescence stains and other labeling reagents enables fluorescence microscopy by allowing cell components to be clearly visible on a darker background [1]. The Cell Systems Science Group at NIST has developed a high contrast cell body fluorescence staining technique that highlights cell edges [2].…”