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Updated: May 2, 2026

Autofluorescence Imaging to Evaluate Cellular Metabolism
Published on: November 15, 2021
Dynamic autofluorescence imaging of intracellular components inside living cells using direct electron beam
Yasunori Nawa1, Wataru Inami2, Aki Miyake2
1Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Johoku, Naka, Hamamatsu 4328561, Japan ; Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan.
Abstract:
We developed a high-resolution fluorescence microscope in which fluorescent materials are directly excited using a focused electron beam. Electron beam excitation enables detailed observations on the nanometer scale. Real-time live-cell observation is also possible using a thin film to separate the environment under study from the vacuum region required for electron beam propagation. In this study, we demonstrated observation of cellular components by autofluorescence excited with a focused electron beam and performed dynamic observations of intracellular granules. Since autofluorescence is associated with endogenous substances in cells, this microscope can also be used to investigate the intrinsic properties of organelles.
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