Advances in Light Microscopy for Neuroscience

Brian A. Wilt, Laurie D. Burns, Eric Tatt Wei Ho, Kunal K. Ghosh, Eran A. Mukamel, Mark J. Schnitzer
2009 Annual Review of Neuroscience  
Since the work of Golgi and Cajal, light microscopy has remained a key tool for neuroscientists to observe cellular properties. Ongoing advances have enabled new experimental capabilities using light to inspect the nervous system across multiple spatial scales, including ultrastructural scales finer than the optical diffraction limit. Other progress permits functional imaging at faster speeds, at greater depths in brain tissue, and over larger tissue volumes than previously possible. Portable,
more » ... iniaturized fluorescence microscopes now allow brain imaging in freely behaving mice. Complementary progress on animal preparations has enabled imaging in head-restrained behaving animals, as well as time-lapse microscopy studies in the brains of live subjects. Mouse genetic approaches permit mosaic and inducible fluorescence-labeling strategies, whereas intrinsic contrast mechanisms allow in vivo imaging of animals and humans without use of exogenous markers. This review surveys such advances and highlights emerging capabilities of particular interest to neuroscientists. 435 Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 2009.32:435-506. Downloaded from arjournals.annualreviews.org by Stanford University -Main Campus -Robert Crown Law Library on 06/26/09. For personal use only.
doi:10.1146/annurev.neuro.051508.135540 pmid:19555292 pmcid:PMC2820375 fatcat:iihdajrrmramtibudjt66tvroe