Using fluorescence for studies of biological membranes: a review

Fluorescence techniques have become powerful and widely used tools for studies of biochemical and biophysical processes occurring in biological membranes. Various fluorescence methods have played and continue to play key roles in modern membrane science, so that there have been several focused reviews on this topic. Here, I present the progress and recent achievements in various fluorescence approaches commonly utilized in studies of biological membranes. Applications of numerous fluorescence methods have been reviewed, including single molecule detection, confocal scanning fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging. I focus on the benefits and limitations of various fluorescence techniques and their combinations, as well as the available methods of in vivo studying. A separate section is dedicated to discussing and comparing different classes of fluorescent membrane probes and their applications to the study of biological membranes. The review should provide researchers from chemistry, biochemistry, and biophysics with the necessary background to identify a range of suitable fluorescence methods in order to successfully design and conduct experimental studies on model lipid bilayers and biological membranes.