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Updated: Apr 12, 2026
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A TIRF Microscopy Technique for Real-time, Simultaneous Imaging of the TCR and its Associated Signaling Proteins
Published on: March 22, 2012
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Protein clustering and spatial organization in T-cells
Michael J Shannon1, Garth Burn1, Andrew Cope2
1*Department of Physics and Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, U.K.
Biochemical Society Transactions
|May 27, 2015
Summary
Super resolution microscopy now allows detailed study of T-cell protein microclusters at the single-molecule level. This reveals nanoscale organization critical for T-cell migration and responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Microscopy
Background:
- T-cell protein microclusters were previously studied at microscale.
- Limited resolution hindered understanding of their nanoscale structure and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate T-cell protein microcluster structure and function at the single-molecule level.
- To explore the role of nanoscale organization in T-cell responses.
Main Methods:
- Super resolution microscopy provided ~20nm resolution.
- Generation of highly accurate pointillist maps of single molecule locations.
- Development of analysis tools for nanoscale organization descriptors.
Main Results:
- Enabled interrogation of T-cell protein microcluster structure at the single-molecule level.
- Provided highly accurate maps of molecular organization within microclusters.
- Facilitated analysis of nanoscale organization governing T-cell responses.
Conclusions:
- Super resolution microscopy is key to understanding T-cell protein microcluster organization.
- Nanoscale organization is crucial for migratory T-cell function and responses.
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