Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

Studying the Cytoskeleton

8.2K
The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...
8.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

DNA repair drives cisplatin-induced neuronal death.

Cell·2026
Same author

Aberration-aware 3D localization microscopy via self-supervised neural-physics learning.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Microtubule organization and molecular architecture of ciliary basal bodies in multiciliated airway cells.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same author

Small molecule-directed differentiation of submerged-cultured human nasal airway epithelia for respiratory disease modeling.

Cell reports. Medicine·2026
Same author

Smart microscopy: adaptive microscope control to improve the way we see life.

Npj imaging·2026
Same author

Author Correction: Single-cell multi-omic detection of DNA methylation and histone modifications reconstructs the dynamics of epigenomic maintenance.

Nature methods·2026
Same journal

Quantification of cell viability by automated analysis of live cell imaging.

Methods in cell biology·2026
Same journal

Flow cytometry evaluation of cytotoxicity exerted by effector immune cells against tumor cells.

Methods in cell biology·2026
Same journal

Time-lapse confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis of FOOD formation.

Methods in cell biology·2026
Same journal

Screening and identification of protein-protein interaction using proximity labeling.

Methods in cell biology·2026
Same journal

Quantitative high-content profiling of mitochondrial morphology with automated statistical analysis and integrated data visualization.

Methods in cell biology·2026
Same journal

Super-resolution imaging of cell death in Drosophila tissues via expansion and pan-expansion microscopy.

Methods in cell biology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 20, 2025

Using Expansion Microscopy to Physically Enlarge Whole-Mount Drosophila Embryos for Super-Resolution Imaging
09:11

Using Expansion Microscopy to Physically Enlarge Whole-Mount Drosophila Embryos for Super-Resolution Imaging

Published on: April 28, 2023

2.2K

Mapping the neuronal cytoskeleton using expansion microscopy.

Daphne Jurriens1, Vincent van Batenburg1, Eugene A Katrukha1

  • 1Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Methods in Cell Biology
|January 22, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Expansion microscopy (ExM) improves neuronal imaging by physically expanding samples. This workflow minimizes artifacts and enhances microtubule visualization in neurons using custom chambers and refractive index matching.

Keywords:
CytoskeletonExpansion microscopyHippocampal neuronsMicrotubulesSTED

More Related Videos

Neuronal Cell Cultures from Aplysia for High-Resolution Imaging of Growth Cones
16:29

Neuronal Cell Cultures from Aplysia for High-Resolution Imaging of Growth Cones

Published on: February 20, 2008

11.7K
Visualizing Intracellular Sialylation with Click Chemistry and Expansion Microscopy
08:16

Visualizing Intracellular Sialylation with Click Chemistry and Expansion Microscopy

Published on: February 7, 2025

755

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 20, 2025

Using Expansion Microscopy to Physically Enlarge Whole-Mount Drosophila Embryos for Super-Resolution Imaging
09:11

Using Expansion Microscopy to Physically Enlarge Whole-Mount Drosophila Embryos for Super-Resolution Imaging

Published on: April 28, 2023

2.2K
Neuronal Cell Cultures from Aplysia for High-Resolution Imaging of Growth Cones
16:29

Neuronal Cell Cultures from Aplysia for High-Resolution Imaging of Growth Cones

Published on: February 20, 2008

11.7K
Visualizing Intracellular Sialylation with Click Chemistry and Expansion Microscopy
08:16

Visualizing Intracellular Sialylation with Click Chemistry and Expansion Microscopy

Published on: February 7, 2025

755

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Microscopy techniques
  • Cell biology

Background:

  • Expansion microscopy (ExM) offers high-resolution imaging with conventional microscopes by physically expanding samples.
  • While ExM bypasses the need for complex setups like STED or STORM microscopy, its sample preparation and handling demand meticulous attention to minimize artifacts.
  • Optimizing ExM protocols is crucial for achieving high-fidelity imaging of delicate biological structures, such as neuronal networks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and present an optimized workflow for imaging the neuronal microtubule network using expansion microscopy.
  • To demonstrate methods for minimizing artifacts and sample perturbations during ExM sample preparation and imaging.
  • To improve the resolution and clarity of microtubule structures within neuronal soma and dendrites.

Main Methods:

  • A novel workflow for expansion microscopy (ExM) was established, focusing on neuronal microtubule imaging.
  • Custom-printed mounting chambers were utilized to simplify sample handling and ensure stable imaging.
  • Refractive index matching between the sample and objective lens was implemented to enhance signal penetration in thick samples.
  • Stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy was used in conjunction with ExM to accurately determine expansion factors and assess sample distortion.

Main Results:

  • The developed workflow significantly reduced artifacts and sample perturbations during ExM.
  • Custom mounting chambers facilitated easier and more stable sample manipulation.
  • Refractive index matching improved signal retention, enabling clearer imaging deeper within neuronal tissues.
  • Comparative analysis using STED and ExM allowed for precise quantification of expansion and distortion, validating the ExM process.
  • The enhanced resolution enabled better discrimination of distinct microtubule subsets in neuronal cell bodies and dendrites.

Conclusions:

  • The presented ExM workflow provides a robust and accessible method for high-resolution imaging of neuronal microtubules.
  • The integration of custom chambers and refractive index matching represents key improvements for ExM sample preparation and imaging quality.
  • This optimized approach enhances the ability to resolve fine structural details within neurons, advancing neurobiological research.