Videovisualization of dynamic cell responses and its molecular analysis for nanomedicine

This report proposes and reviews a new approach that provides a more straightforward methodology for visualizing and determining molecular mechanisms as they occur within cells. A direct observation of the dynamic behavior of cells using a video microscope shows unexpected but very rational behavior that challenges us to elucidate its molecular mechanism. Since mass spectrometry is a rapid and sensitive tool for molecular analysis, single-cell matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time of flight mass spectrometry is useful and a morphological and molecular analysis combined method called video-mass-scope is also proposed. For analysis of the function of new molecules, single molecular imaging should be straightforward and the dynamic image of molecular movement or transport, called nanokinetics, is also necessary for the application to nanomedicine. Various research examples, based mainly on biological self-defense or secretion processes, are reviewed. The combination of these analytical techniques will enable us to understand the dynamic molecular mechanisms of cells and this knowledge could be applied to nanomedicine in the future.