Whole-body imaging of infection using fluorescence

Area of Science:

• Biomedical imaging
• Microbiology
• Cell biology

Background:

• Optical imaging is a rapidly advancing technique for investigating diverse biological processes.
• Fluorescent reporters are crucial tools for visualizing biological components and events in real-time.
• Understanding infectious processes requires advanced imaging modalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the application of fluorescence imaging for studying biological processes.
• To provide methods for using fluorescent reporters in examining infectious diseases.
• To demonstrate the broad applicability of fluorescence imaging techniques across various experimental systems.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing fluorescent reporters to visualize biological organisms, components, or events.
• Applying fluorescence imaging to study subcutaneous and pulmonary bacterial infections.
• Describing two distinct strategies: reporter enzyme fluorescence (REF) and fluorescent proteins.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the utility of fluorescence imaging for examining bacterial infections, specifically mycobacterial infections.
• Showcased the adaptability of these methods for various bacterial species including Pseudomonas, Legionella, Salmonella, Escherichia, Borrelia, and Staphylococcus.
• Highlighted the general applicability of fluorescence imaging to diverse infectious routes and agents.

Conclusions:

• Fluorescence imaging with fluorescent reporters is a powerful and broadly applicable tool for biological research.
• The described methods facilitate the study of infectious processes and other biological phenomena.
• This technique offers a versatile platform for advancing our understanding in microbiology, immunology, and cell biology.