Advanced nanoscopy tools to monitor intracellular membrane trafficking

Abstract

Intracellular membrane trafficking function is to transport proteins and other macromolecules by membrane bound vesicles throughout the cell and it is key for maintaining homeostasis and responding to signaling processes. Novel super resolution microscopy techniques open now the door for studying membrane trafficking with unprecedented resolution. As a proof-of-concept, here a technique named single particle tracking (SPT) with highly inclined and laminated optical illumination is used to identify the movement of an specific type of intracellular carriers. The experimental procedure is optimized for SPT and its spatiotemporal resolution characterized. Thus validating the system and showing its potential for studying intracellular communication.