Search

Microscopy drives biological discovery, yet high costs limit its access to resource-limited regions. We highlight examples of successful frugal microscopes that have overcome adoption barriers, offering a roadmap to expand affordable, quantitative imaging tools and foster impactful research in resource-limited settings.

Discussions at a recent conference on microscopy technology dissemination spotlighted the importance of setting technology adoption capable of producing scientific outcome as the end goal. This Comment examines current global efforts in microscopy dissemination and summarizes the challenges and paths forward.

As a vast and diverse country, Brazil faces significant regional disparities that highlight the urgent need to democratize access to scientific resources and opportunities. To help develop solutions to address this challenge, we launched the Bioimaging Brasil initiative, aimed at expanding access to advanced bioimaging techniques such as intravital microscopy. By leveraging a broad spectrum of technologies — from standard microscopes paired with cell phone cameras to cutting-edge laser scanning confocal microscopes — the initiative fosters collaboration, strengthens research capacity and serves as a global model for equitable technology dissemination.

Focal adhesions are dynamic structures that link the cell to the extracellular matrix. Here, the authors report that focal adhesions contain tropomyosin-decorated actin filaments, and show evidence that suggests specific functions in adhesion dynamics and cell migration.

The actin-based molecular motors, myosins, have also been linked to transcription, but their precise role has remained elusive. Here the authors show RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is lost from chromatin upon myosin perturbation and that myosin acts as a molecular anchor to maintain RNAPII spatial organisation.

Podosomes are actin structures important in multiple cell functions. Here, the authors use iPALM microscopy to reveal an “hourglass” shape of the podosome actin core, a protruding “knob” at the bottom of the core, and two actin networks extending from it.

Bharathan et al. discover that the endoplasmic reticulum associates with keratin intermediate filaments and desmosomal cell–cell junctions, and that desmosomes and the keratin cytoskeleton regulate the distribution, dynamics and function of the endoplasmic reticulum network.

The plasma membrane can expand the blades of the PIEZO1 ion channel, impacting channel activation.

An autophagy receptor, NDP52, is recruited to the nucleus where it can bind DNA. The authors show this promotes changes in chromatin accessibility which supports transcription initiation, providing a direct link between autophagy and transcription regulation.

Pluripotent stem cell colonies are encircled by large cornerstone focal adhesions (FAs). Here, using super-resolution imaging, the authors describe features in the nanoscale makeup of these stable FAs such as inverted vinculin, lateral talin segregation and distinct kank protein distributions.

Photon localization microscopy uses stochastic emission events from fluorescent molecules to enable super-resolution imaging, but spectroscopic information is lost. Here, the authors improve the spatial resolution of this technique with a method that also detects each blink’s fluorescence spectrum.

During mitosis, complementary actin-based mechanisms ensure equal and random distributions of mitochondria among daughter cells following symmetrical cell division.

The Africa Microscopy Initiative (AMI) aims to promote the use of microscopy in biomedical research through facilitated access to instruments and expertise, and via training and networking opportunities. By coupling technology dissemination with expertise and training, AMI is designed to serve as a crucible for the sustainable development of imaging expertise across Africa.

Caenorhabditis elegans primordial germ cells (PGCs) transiently extend large lobes, which are found to be actively removed and digested by endodermal cells to alter PGC content in a process dependent on actin and dynamin.

This Perspective describes common pitfalls that can occur when using light sheet microscopy and offers guidance for improved quantitative imaging with these instruments.

Using structured illumination microscopy, Beach et al. and Hu et al. visualize the assembly of myosin II filaments in cells, describing a filament-partitioning mechanism, and long-range self-organization of filaments, respectively.

Rackley, Seong et al use a Drosophila model of Ras/Lkb1 mutant carcinoma to show that high levels of the KRAS oncogene drive the malignant transformation of LKB1 mutant tissue. This pathway could be used as a target for future therapies that aim to treat RAS-driven tumours.

Life scientists in Africa have had limited opportunity to participate in international advanced scientific training programs and workshops, which largely benefit researchers in North America, Europe and the Asia–Pacific region. Here, we chronicle the strategies adopted and challenges encountered in organizing Imaging Africa, an all-expenses-paid, continent-wide practical workshop in optical microscopy hosted in South Africa from 13 to 17 January 2020. Our experience can help steer other groups who similarly seek to organize impactful and sustainable training initiatives in Africa.

A high-level perspective on the future of live imaging is presented, with a vision to image anything in a biological sample, anywhere and at any time. A particular focus is given to current challenges and strategies to overcome them.