Stretching the boundaries: Expansion microscopy a game changer in super-resolution imaging

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Microscopy Techniques
• Plant Science

Background:

• Super-resolution microscopy (SRM) offers high-resolution imaging but requires expensive equipment.
• Expansion Microscopy (ExM) physically enlarges samples, enabling nanoscale resolution with conventional microscopes.
• ExM has evolved with iterative and single-step methods, achieving resolutions below 15 nm.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development and advancements of ExM.
• To discuss ExM's application in diverse biological models, focusing on plant tissues.
• To highlight challenges and future perspectives of ExM in plant biology.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on ExM development and applications.
• Analysis of methodological innovations, including iterative ExM (iExM) and chemical gel advancements.
• Examination of hybrid approaches combining ExM and SRM.

Main Results:

• ExM provides a cost-effective alternative to SRM for nanoscale imaging.
• Recent adaptations have addressed challenges in imaging complex plant tissues.
• ExM now allows nanoscale visualization of plant structures like plasmodesmata and mitotic spindles.

Conclusions:

• ExM has become a versatile tool for nanoscale biological imaging.
• Further refinements are expanding ExM's capabilities, particularly in plant science.
• ExM holds significant potential for future discoveries in cellular and plant biology.