Current Progress in Expansion Microscopy: Chemical Strategies and Applications

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Microscopy
• Chemical Biology

Background:

• Expansion microscopy (ExM) offers super-resolution imaging on conventional microscopes.
• Recent advancements have broadened ExM's applications and improved achievable resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent progress in Expansion Microscopy (ExM).
• To focus on the chemical aspects of ExM, including biomolecule grafting and polymer synthesis.
• To discuss ExM's impact on biological analysis and ultrastructure preservation.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature on Expansion Microscopy.
• Analysis of chemical strategies for biomolecule attachment and polymer formation.
• Comparison of pre- and post-expansion labeling techniques.
• Evaluation of fixation methods for ultrastructure preservation.

Main Results:

• Significant progress in ExM has been achieved through chemical innovations.
• Various strategies enhance biomolecule grafting and polymer synthesis for improved expansion.
• ExM combined with other microscopy techniques offers further resolution gains.
• Fixation methods and labeling strategies impact ultrastructure preservation and biological analysis.

Conclusions:

• Recent chemical advances have significantly improved Expansion Microscopy.
• ExM facilitates nanoscale visualization of biological targets.
• Further development is expected to enhance ExM's utility and expand its applications in biological research.