RobMin · Robust MINFLUX microscope for improved system stability and accessibility
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-08-01 → 2023-07-31
- EU contribution
- €174,806
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Robust MINFLUX microscope for improved system stability and accessibility
A novel super-resolution microscopy method, MINFLUX, provides an unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution among super-resolution fluorescence microscopy methods, and this makes MINFLUX irreplaceable, especially in the field of single molecule tracking in live samples. However, it is very expensive to purchase for many institutes and challenging to build for researchers. To provide wider access to MINFLUX, we proposed a simplified and affordable approach of optical scanning for MINFLUX microscope, and successfully validated its capability. In parallel, MINFLUX is a promising technology to study the functions of molecular machines by monitoring their nanoscale dynamics in live cells. Therefore, we aimed to validate the capability of MINFLUX microscope for tracking single molecule dynamics in live cells. We successfully demonstrated that MINFLUX can resolve the conformational dynamics of proteins in real-time at near physiological conditions.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
MINFLUX super-resolution microscopy provides a 3D spatial resolution down to 2 nm combined with millisecond temporal resolution in living cells. MINFLUX has the potential of revolutionizing structural cell biology by measuring dynamic functional changes of protein machines. Currently, however, access to MINFLUX is very limited because the implementation of custom-built MINFLUX microscopes is complex, and commercial systems are very expensive. The objective of this proposal is to develop a MINFLUX system with simplified optical scanning systems, which makes the system robust, affordable, and easier to build, to provide increased accessibility to a wider range of researchers. To this end, we aim to replace the 3D scanning systems with a combination of spatial light modulators and fast switching of multiple optical fibers, without compromising its imaging speed and achievable resolution. We will demonstrate the performance of the new MINFLUX system on biological systems to showcase the system capability.The research will take place at the group of Dr. Jonas Ries at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, a leading group in developing new approaches in single molecule localization microscopy and application in biology. This highly interdisciplinary project will strengthen my expertise in advanced optics, software programming, electronics, and biology. It will have an important impact in the field of structural cell biology by enabling direct measurements of dynamic structural and functional changes of protein machines in living cells. This fellowship will establish me as a recognized researcher in the field and will be the optimal basis to start my own research group.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- EUROPEAN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY · HeidelbergCoordinatorGermany
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union