What Is a Palm Microscopy?

Photo-Activated Localization Microscopy (PALM) uses an ultra-high precision visible light technique. It enables scientists to see the assembly of thousands of bacterial membrane proteins in cells.

Use

PALM Microscopy is instrumental in research giving insight into "how complex periodic patterns in biological systems can be generated and repaired," according to OptoIQ.

Technique

PALM targets specific proteins for labeling with tags that fluoresce once they are activated by ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light is kept at a low level of intensity so that the researchers can photoactivate the individual proteins.

Types

PALM is used to analyze various types of cellular patterns, such as rod-shaped bacterial structures, like E.coli and intracellular structures, like eukaryotic membranes.

References

• OptoIQ: PALM Microscopy Enables Understanding of Cell Organization's Impact on Biological Function