Technology

Biotechnology, Technology

New technique illuminates molecules with previously undetectable fluorescence (BioTechniques)

According to the NSF, this research is important because current imaging
technology, like an MRI or CT scan, do not have the spatial resolution needed to
view tiny structures and require additional external contrast agents to create a
viewable image. Xie’s technique is also a critical breakthrough because typical
fluorescent labels, like green fluorescent protein, which are used to observe
the activity of molecules, can disturb delicate biological pathways, especially
when the protein is bigger than the molecule it is illuminating. …