Super-resolution Imaging

It has been over a decade since super-resolution microscopy was awarded the 2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and after tremendous advancements over the years, it is on its way to becoming a standard biomedical research tool. Super-resolution imaging has redefined the boundaries of what is optically visible, unlocking previously inaccessible insights into the nanoscale architecture and dynamic behavior of biological systems. This Collection aims to bring together the latest advances in super-resolution imaging, covering innovations in instrumentation, computational methods, and transformative applications across disciplines.

Researchers have developed an array of techniques—such as single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM), stimulated emission depletion microscopy (STED), structured illumination microscopy (SIM), super-resolution optical fluctuation imaging (SOFI), and minimal photon fluxes (MINFLUX) —that circumvent the classical diffraction limit and allow for spatial resolution down to several nanometers. Complementary progress in sample preparation, fluorophore engineering, and probe design has further expanded the capabilities of super-resolution imaging to new cellular structures, tissues, and in vivo models.

At the same time, computational approaches have become indispensable to the field. Advanced image reconstruction algorithms, denoising frameworks, and deep learning-based pipelines now play a central role in enhancing resolution, reducing acquisition time, minimizing phototoxicity, and extracting meaningful biological information from increasingly complex datasets. These developments have enabled high-speed, high-throughput, and long-term live-cell imaging with unprecedented spatial and temporal fidelity.

By collecting diverse perspectives from both technology developers and end-users, this Collection aims to bridge the gap between methodological innovation and real-world application. We particularly welcome interdisciplinary submissions that demonstrate how super-resolution imaging is driving new discoveries in life sciences and medicine.

This Collection invites and showcases research that pushes the frontier of super-resolution imaging from multiple angles. Key topics include, but are not limited to:

• Development of new super-resolution modalities or improvements to existing methods.*
• Innovations in adaptive optics and multi-dimensional imaging
• Computational and AI-driven approaches for image reconstruction, enhancement, and analysis
• Photon-efficient and low-light imaging strategies for live and sensitive samples
• Cross-modality integration with techniques such as electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, and single-cell sequencing
• Applications of super-resolution imaging in cell biology, neuroscience, immunology, microbiology, developmental biology, and medical diagnostics
• Open-source software tools, data resources, and benchmarking frameworks