Time-lapse imaging of CD63 dynamics at the HIV-1 virological synapse by using agar pads

Time-lapse imaging provides an uninterrupted observation method that can lead to understanding protein dynamics. We previously developed a technique based on thin agar pads to keep the cells in focus during confocal laser scanning microscope imaging. Using this method, time-lapse imaging was employed to monitor CD63 fused to mCherry at the virological synapse (VS) during viral cluster transfer to acceptor cells of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1).