Overview of Evident (Olympus)
Within the past few years, several methods have been devised in order to obtain images with nanometer resolution of cellular features using an optical microscope (STED, PALM, STORM). Although powerful, these methods are quite inefficient when detecting sparse nanostructures in an image. Also they are inadequate to detect the dynamics of chemical reactions which occur in the sub-second time scale in nanometer-size 3D structures, which are continuously moving and changing shape.
With NanoImaging approach to super-resolution, the laser beam does not scan the sample following a predetermined pattern as is the case in raster images. Instead, the laser scanning imaging is based upon a feedback algorithm where the path followed by the laser beam is continuously adjusted and decided during the scan according to the shape of the object to be imaged. The algorithm moves the laser spot at a fixed distance from the object's surface; as the position of the laser spot and its distance from the surface are known parameters, they are utilized to reconstruct the shape of the object. 3D cellular structures can be resolved down to 20 - 40 nm with a precision of 2 nm in a matter of a few seconds.
How It Works
The sequence of operations for using the SMT NanoImaging is straightforward: firstly, a confocal image of the area of interest is acquired; then, the object to be imaged is identified by the user. The SMT NanoImaging is activated through the switch and the laser beam is positioned at a distance of 100 - 200 nm from the center of the object. As the laser spot approaches the surface to be imaged, the amount of fluorescence increases. Yet, the increase in fluorescence depends upon the distance as well as upon the concentration of the fluorophores and their respective quantum yield. In order to separate the effect of the distance from the effect due to the concentration, the position of the spot is forced to oscillate perpendicularly to the surface. That is, the intensity of the fluorescence changes during the oscillation (Figure 1).
The modulation function is defined as the ratio between the alternating part and the average part due to the local fluorescence of the surface. Practically, the modulation is the ratio between the spatial derivative of the PSF and the intensity. The modulation function increases quasi linearly as a function of the distance from the surface and this feature allows for its use in determining the distance of the laser spot from the surface along the orbit. In this way, the transversal shape of the object is calculated and reconstructed.
Product Specifications for Evident (Olympus)
Tracking Methodology
- XY-axis using galvo-controlled mirrors
- Z-axis using piezo-controlled stage
Maximum Resolution
- 20 nm ± 2 nm
Data Acquisition Frequency
- 32 to 256 KHz
Circular Orbit Frequency
- 2 KHz
Detector
- Internal PMT
Detection Electronics
- ISS Photon Counting Unit
Computer
- High-performance Processor, 32 GB RAM, Windows 11, 64-bit
- 32" monitor, 2556 x 1440 resolution
Acquisition and Analysis Software
- SimFCS by Globals Unlimited
VistaVision by ISS
Product Resources
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“Measurement of distance with the nanoscale precise imaging by rapid beam oscillation method.” Lanzano, L. & Gratton, E. Microscopy Research and Technique, 75(9), pp. 1253–1264, 2012, Apr. doi: 10.1002/jemt.22058. -
“Nanometer-scale imaging by the modulation tracking method.” Lanzano, L., Digman, M.A., Fwu, P., Giral, H., Levi, M. & Gratton, E. Journal of Biophotonics, 4(6), pp. 415–424, 2011, Apr. doi: 10.1002/jbio.201100002.
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“Real-Time Nanomicroscopy via Three-Dimensional Single-Particle Tracking.” Katayama, Y., Burkacky, O., Meyer, M., Bräuchle, C., Gratton, E. & Lamb, D.C. ChemPhysChem, 10(14), pp. 2458–2464, 2009, Oct. doi: 10.1002/cphc.200900436.
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“Real-time multi-parameter spectroscopy and localization in three-dimensional single-particle tracking.” Hellriegel, C. & Gratton, E. Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 6(suppl_1), 2008, Aug. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2008.0313.focus.
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“Distance measurement by circular scanning of the excitation beam in the two-photon microscope.” Kis-Petikova, K. & Gratton, E. Microscopy Research and Technique, 63(1), pp. 34–49, 2003. doi: 10.1002/jemt.10417.
Configuration of Olympus 3D Nanoimaging Single Molecule Tracking LSM Upgrade
Below is a schematic of the NanoImaging units and its connections to the confocal microscope. A switch unit allows for the user to operate the confocal microscope in the standard mode of operations, or to activate the NanoImaging system. When in nanoimaging operation, the galvo-mirrors of the microscope system are controlled through the electronics provided by ISS. The signal is collected by the internal detectors of the microscope and diverted to the ISS photon counting data acquisition unit. Molecules are tracked in the XY plane using the galvo-controlled mirrors of the microscope system and in the z-axis by a piezo-controlled stage. Instrument control, data acquisition and display are done on a separate computer.
