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Nanoprobes for super-resolution fluorescence imaging at the nanoscale

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Abstract

Compared with other imaging techniques, fluorescence microscopy has become an essential tool to study cell biology due to its high compatibility with living cells. Owing to the resolution limit set by the diffraction of light, fluorescence microscopy could not resolve the nanostructures in the range of < 200 nm. Recently, many techniques have been emerged to overcome the diffraction barrier, providing nanometer spatial resolution. In the course of development, the progress in fluorescent probes has helped to promote the development of the high-resolution fluorescence nanoscopy. Here, we describe the contributions of the fluorescent probes to far-field super resolution imaging, focusing on concepts of the existing super-resolution nanoscopy based on the photophysics of fluorescent nanoprobes, like photoswitching, bleaching and blinking. Fluorescent probe technology is crucial in the design and implementation of super-resolution imaging methods.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Physical Biology and Bioimaging Center, Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201800, China

    ShangGuo Hou, Le Liang, SuHui Deng, Qing Huang & ChunHai Fan

  2. Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201800, China

    JianFang Chen & Ya Cheng

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  1. ShangGuo Hou
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  2. Le Liang
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  3. SuHui Deng
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  4. JianFang Chen
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  5. Qing Huang
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  7. ChunHai Fan
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Correspondence to SuHui Deng.

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Hou, S., Liang, L., Deng, S. et al. Nanoprobes for super-resolution fluorescence imaging at the nanoscale. Sci. China Chem. 57, 100–106 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-013-5014-6

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