Bioimaging

‘Bioimaging’ relates to methods that visualise biological processes in real time and non-invasively in living cells. It is also referred to as ‘live-cell imaging’. Bioimaging aims at interfering as little as possible with life processes. Moreover, it is often used to get information on the 3-D structure of the observed specimen from the outside, i.e. without making physical sections.

 

In cell biology, bioimaging can be used to follow cellular processes in the living cells while they are occurring. An example is observation of a calcium wave, a propagating increase in calcium concentration that sweeps over an egg cell just after fertilization by a sperm cell. This is one signal in a series of processes that block the entrance of other sperm cells. Specially developed fluorescent dyes and advanced microscopes are used in this type of recordings.

 

In recent years an extremely fruitful coorporation between bioimaging and molecular biology has developed. It is all based on expression of genes for fluorescent proteins in different cells and organisms. For instance, fungi attacking crops like wheat or tomato can now be detected inside the plant during infection. Thereby, a better understanding of the disease can be obtained. The series of possibilities using this technique is endless: proteins of perhaps unknown function can be localized in the cell, cells expressing specific proteins can be identified, interaction between proteins can be recorded, cellular signals can be detected etc. – all in living cells.

 

More information: contact Alexander Schulz, Michael Hansen, Helle J. Martens