Live cell imaging for target and drug discovery

Cell biology has the ability to yield an incredible amount of information regarding cell activity, and is a powerful tool to both discover targets for, and examine the effects of therapeutic molecules on model systems. At the forefront of cell biology is a wide array of microscopy-based techniques that allow us to probe the inner workings of both individual cells in culture and cell systems within living animals. Live cell imaging plays an important role not only in the basic science that leads to the isolation and characterization of the proteins and environmental factors involved in developing disease, but also in drug discovery, optimization and characterization at both the single cell level, and also to look at the effects on tissues and organs inside animal models. This article aims to give an overview of the techniques and processes important in utilizing live cell imaging in target and drug discovery, and the advances in microscope design and automation that have made current microscopy techniques such a powerful tool. It then looks ahead to how recent improvements in the resolution achievable by light microscopes could shape the future direction of live cell imaging in cell biology.