Microscopy Techniques
| Technique | Lateral Resolution(nm) | Axial Resolution(nm) | Platform | Fluorochrome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Widefield | ~200-300 | ~500-700 | Widefield | Standard |
| CLSM | ~150-220 | ~360-500 | Confocal | Standard |
| SIM | ~100-120 | ~350-400 | Widefield | Standard |
| STED | ~70-90 | ~100-200 | Confocal | Photostable |
| PALM | ~20-50 | ~10-70 | Widefield | Switchable |
| Note: STED – lateral and axial resolutions of ~ 50nm and ~90nm can be achieved when using dyes resistant to photobleaching. | ||||
(Table adapted from: Kubalová I, Němečková A, Weisshart K, Hřibová E, Schubert V. Comparing Super-Resolution Microscopy Techniques to Analyze Chromosomes. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Feb 14;22(4):1903. doi: 10.3390/ijms22041903. PMID: 33672992; PMCID: PMC7917581.)
Background Information on Microscopy
iBiology (opens in a new tab) – presents a series of short videos on light microscopy.
Molecular Expressions (opens in a new tab) – Exploring the world of optics and microscopy.
Education in Microscopy and Digital Imaging (opens in a new tab) – Presented by Zeiss, a series of articles and interactive pages from basic to advanced topics in microscopy.
Microscopy U (opens in a new tab) – The source for microscopy education.
Cell Analysis Resource Center
ThermoFisher Scientific (opens in a new tab) – Resource for basic principles about cell analysis, applications, and techniques.
Transmitted Light Techniques
Köhler Illumination in Brightfield Microscopy (opens in a new tab) – description of the alignment technique as presented by ibidi.
The Principle of Phase Contrast Microscopy (opens in a new tab) – detailed explanation of phase contrasted, presented by ibidi.