Flat Cell Imaging
Abstract
Recent advances in optical technology have significantly enhanced the resolution of imaging of living cells, achieving nanometer-scale precision. However, the crowded three-dimensional environment within cells presents a challenge for measuring the spatio-temporal dynamics of cellular components. One solution to this issue is expansion microscopy, which cannot be used for living cells. Here, we present a method for flattening live cells to a thickness of down to 200 nanometers by confining them between two surface-treated transparent plates. The anti-fouling coating on the surfaces restricts the cells to a quasi-two-dimensional space by exerting osmotic control and preventing surface adhesion. This technique increases the distance between cellular components, thereby enabling high-resolution imaging of their spatio-temporal dynamics. The viability and phenotype of various cell types are demonstrated to be unaltered upon release from flat-cell confinement. The flat cell imaging method is a robust and straightforward technique, making it a practical choice for optical microscopy.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2411.12656,
title = {Flat Cell Imaging},
author = {Vahid Nasirimarekani and Zuzana Ditte and Eberhard Bodenschatz},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2411.12656},
year = {2024}
}