ZOLA-3D allows flexible 3D localization microscopy over an adjustable axial range

Single molecule localization microscopy can generate 3D super-resolution images without scanning by leveraging the axial variations of normal or engineered point spread functions (PSF). Successful implementation of these approaches for extended axial ranges remains, however, challenging. We present Zernike Optimized Localization Approach in 3D (ZOLA-3D), an easy-to-use computational and optical solution that achieves optimal resolution over a tunable axial range. We use ZOLA-3D to demonstrate 3D super-resolution imaging of mitochondria, nuclear pores and microtubules in entire nuclei or cells up to ~5 μm deep.