Nanovid microscopy
Encyclopedia
Nanovid microscopy, from “nanometer video-enhanced microscopy”, is a microscopic technique aimed at visualizing colloidal gold
particles of 20-40 nm diameter (nanogold, immunogold
) as dynamic markers at the light microscopic level. The nanogold particles as such are smaller than the diffraction
limit of light
, but can be visualized by using Video-Enhanced Differential Interference Contrast (VEDIC). The technique is based on the use of contrast
enhancement by video techniques and digital image processing
. Nanovid microscopy, by combining small colloidal gold probes with video-enhanced quantitative microscopy, allows for studying the intracellular dynamics of specific proteins
in living cells
.
Colloidal gold
Colloidal gold is a suspension of sub-micrometre-sized particles of gold in a fluid — usually water. The liquid is usually either an intense red colour , or a dirty yellowish colour ....
particles of 20-40 nm diameter (nanogold, immunogold
Immunogold labelling
Immunogold labelling or Immunogold staining is a staining technique used in electron microscopy. Colloidal gold particles are most often attached to secondary antibodies which are in turn attached to primary antibodies designed to bind a specific protein or other cell component...
) as dynamic markers at the light microscopic level. The nanogold particles as such are smaller than the diffraction
Diffraction
Diffraction refers to various phenomena which occur when a wave encounters an obstacle. Italian scientist Francesco Maria Grimaldi coined the word "diffraction" and was the first to record accurate observations of the phenomenon in 1665...
limit of light
Light
Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, and is responsible for the sense of sight. Visible light has wavelength in a range from about 380 nanometres to about 740 nm, with a frequency range of about 405 THz to 790 THz...
, but can be visualized by using Video-Enhanced Differential Interference Contrast (VEDIC). The technique is based on the use of contrast
Contrast (vision)
Contrast is the difference in visual properties that makes an object distinguishable from other objects and the background. In visual perception of the real world, contrast is determined by the difference in the color and brightness of the object and other objects within the same field of view...
enhancement by video techniques and digital image processing
Image processing
In electrical engineering and computer science, image processing is any form of signal processing for which the input is an image, such as a photograph or video frame; the output of image processing may be either an image or, a set of characteristics or parameters related to the image...
. Nanovid microscopy, by combining small colloidal gold probes with video-enhanced quantitative microscopy, allows for studying the intracellular dynamics of specific proteins
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
in living cells
Cell (biology)
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....
.
See also
- MicroscopyMicroscopyMicroscopy is the technical field of using microscopes to view samples and objects that cannot be seen with the unaided eye...
- Single particle trackingSingle particle trackingSingle particle tracking is the observation of the motion of individual particles within a medium. The coordinates over a series of time steps is referred to as a trajectory. The trajectory can be analyzed to identify modes of motion or heterogeneities in the motion such as obstacles or regions...
- Differential interference contrast microscopyDifferential interference contrast microscopyDifferential interference contrast microscopy , also known as Nomarski Interference Contrast or Nomarski microscopy, is an optical microscopy illumination technique used to enhance the contrast in unstained, transparent samples...
- MicrotubuleMicrotubuleMicrotubules are a component of the cytoskeleton. These rope-like polymers of tubulin can grow as long as 25 micrometers and are highly dynamic. The outer diameter of microtubule is about 25 nm. Microtubules are important for maintaining cell structure, providing platforms for intracellular...