Comparison of Wide-Field/Deconvolution and Confocal Microscopy for 3D Imaging

Abstract

Optical microscopy has always been a central technique to biological research, but in recent years its importance has vastly increased, mainly because of the introduction of epifluorescence imaging, which gives very sensitive detection, coupled with a multitude of highly specific fluorescent probes. Furthermore, it is often possible to obtain useful images noninvasively at light levels that are not damaging to living cells. Microinjection and other cell-loading methods can therefore be used in combination with fluorescence microscopy to analyze and modify subcellular structure and function in living cells.