Focus enhanced single molecule super-resolution microscopy - correlative confocal and nanoscale imaging in thick tissues
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Fluorescence microscopy is widely used as a sensitive tool to investigate the biology and biophysical properties of cells and tissues, including its use as a healthcare technology in diagnostic pathology of tissue samples. Larger structures in complex three-dimensional cells and tissues have been successfully investigated with confocal microscopy which produces sharp images by effectively rejecting out of focus light. However, many of the structures found within cellular organisms are much smaller than the wavelength of light and have therefore been difficult to observe with fluorescence microscopy. In this project we plan to combine principles from confocal microscopy with a new "super-resolution" microscopy method which overcomes the limits of conventional light microscopy and can resolve detail down to ~20 nm. To date, however, such high resolution has been difficult to achieve in thicker cell preparations (e.g. > 5 um), as many super-resolution methods rely on the precise localisation of individual molecules that emit light when excited in the fluorescence microscope. This "single molecule localisation microscopy" approach suffers from extensive background light that is generated in thick samples such as tissues and limits the achievable resolution.
In this project we propose an improvement to the imaging process that can be easily implemented and which combines ideas from conventional confocal microscopy with super-resolution imaging based on single molecule localisation while maximising the collection of light. Key to the new approach is the use of a digital micro device (DMD) array for patterned illumination of the sample. Adopting this new approach also allows the new device that we will build to implement standard confocal microscopy. It therefore allows us to combine both conventional 3D microscopy and our new effective super-resolution modes and obtain increased information from the samples. This means we can combine the high throughput of conventional confocal microscopy with local high resolution provided by super-resolution, in other words the best of both worlds for effective imaging in complex biological samples obtained for pathology testing.The utility of our approach is increased because we will adopt an improved confocal mode that has been recently demonstrated. Most importantly, we will be able to seamlessly switch between the various modes under sophisticated software control.
To improve the ability to provide extended 3D super-resolution data in thick tissue samples we will introduce a recently demonstrated technique into the workflow of our new approach. This technique, called DNA-PAINT, uses the modern understanding of DNA interactions to construct new markers for super-resolution imaging. DNA-PAINT provides a versatile way to combine many different marker types in the same sample and also introduces a convenient way to localise marker molecules as complementary DNA strands transiently bind to each other. In combination with our super-resolution improvements this will provide a way to record images throughout the depth of a thick sample and construct very high-resolution 3D volume images. The "confocal principle" in the new super-resolution approach is critical to avoid the background light that otherwise would greatly impair DNA-PAINT in tissue.
To demonstrate the impact of our new combined super-resolution, confocal and correlative microscopy modes we will conduct pilot studies that establish our new approach as a healthcare technology for diagnostic pathology in heart tissue, imaging in the brain and in cell "clumps" that resemble tumour tissue in their complex 3D arrangement.
The combination of new capabilities of our new microscope, its efficient implementation and sophisticated but intuitive software interface will make this a versatile new approach that will be highly relevant for academic and commercial users in many different fields.
In this project we propose an improvement to the imaging process that can be easily implemented and which combines ideas from conventional confocal microscopy with super-resolution imaging based on single molecule localisation while maximising the collection of light. Key to the new approach is the use of a digital micro device (DMD) array for patterned illumination of the sample. Adopting this new approach also allows the new device that we will build to implement standard confocal microscopy. It therefore allows us to combine both conventional 3D microscopy and our new effective super-resolution modes and obtain increased information from the samples. This means we can combine the high throughput of conventional confocal microscopy with local high resolution provided by super-resolution, in other words the best of both worlds for effective imaging in complex biological samples obtained for pathology testing.The utility of our approach is increased because we will adopt an improved confocal mode that has been recently demonstrated. Most importantly, we will be able to seamlessly switch between the various modes under sophisticated software control.
To improve the ability to provide extended 3D super-resolution data in thick tissue samples we will introduce a recently demonstrated technique into the workflow of our new approach. This technique, called DNA-PAINT, uses the modern understanding of DNA interactions to construct new markers for super-resolution imaging. DNA-PAINT provides a versatile way to combine many different marker types in the same sample and also introduces a convenient way to localise marker molecules as complementary DNA strands transiently bind to each other. In combination with our super-resolution improvements this will provide a way to record images throughout the depth of a thick sample and construct very high-resolution 3D volume images. The "confocal principle" in the new super-resolution approach is critical to avoid the background light that otherwise would greatly impair DNA-PAINT in tissue.
To demonstrate the impact of our new combined super-resolution, confocal and correlative microscopy modes we will conduct pilot studies that establish our new approach as a healthcare technology for diagnostic pathology in heart tissue, imaging in the brain and in cell "clumps" that resemble tumour tissue in their complex 3D arrangement.
The combination of new capabilities of our new microscope, its efficient implementation and sophisticated but intuitive software interface will make this a versatile new approach that will be highly relevant for academic and commercial users in many different fields.
Planned Impact
A broad range of groups and stakeholders will benefit from the proposed project. These include:
- Commercial microscope manufacturers (for research, clinical and commercial markets)
- Clinical researchers and pathologists, i.e. users of fluorescence microscopy as a healthcare technology
- Biomedical scientists and other academic beneficiaries
- The pharmaceutical and wider biotechnology industry
In addition, we suggest that the wider public has an interest in simple, robust and affordable microscopy techniques to possibly allow interested lay groups as a mechanism of widening public engagement in the future to build their own microscopes, exploiting recent developments in 3D printing, computing and embedded devices as well as continuously decreasing component cost.
Ways in which these groups will benefit
==============================
The technical developments that we will pursue will allow commercial manufacturers to increase the capability of their instruments and offer improved products that should create demand in their respective markets.
We anticipate increasing use of super-resolution methods in clinical research and diagnosis, particularly the use for advanced pathology diagnosis is a realistic possibility, currently only limited by both complexity and inability of current methods to deal with tissue samples easily. Our improvements in optical performance and ease of use in tissue slice samples, combined with a straightforward implementation, will make this much more practical. It is critical to demonstrate the applicability and versatility of our proposed methods and we therefore aim to conduct several applications directly related to the use by beneficiaries. This includes the study of samples from hearts in failure for improved diagnosis and two other biomedical applications of correlative confocal and focus enhanced super-resolution microscopy.
The types of benefit outlined above make a contribution to the nation's health and wealth and help to enhance quality of life and long term health when applied in the clinical setting.
We anticipate that towards the latter part of the proposed project, once the focus enhanced super-resolution modalities and the use of DNA PAINT technology with our new modality have been established, talks with commercial manufacturers will take place to address commercialisation of the technology (building on our track record with Zeiss, with support from Exeter RKT).
We have also formed a relationship with Badrilla Inc, a biotechnology company in the UK which specialises in immuno-marker technology, to trial the technology with their markers.
The research and technical staff working on this project will acquire advanced skills in applied optical design, computer control of modern imaging hardware and interdisciplinary skills in biophysics, cell biology and imaging applications. The research fellow in particular will acquire and refine a set of skills that should make them sought after for employment in applied computing, optical design, advanced application development and a variety of research and development roles.
- Commercial microscope manufacturers (for research, clinical and commercial markets)
- Clinical researchers and pathologists, i.e. users of fluorescence microscopy as a healthcare technology
- Biomedical scientists and other academic beneficiaries
- The pharmaceutical and wider biotechnology industry
In addition, we suggest that the wider public has an interest in simple, robust and affordable microscopy techniques to possibly allow interested lay groups as a mechanism of widening public engagement in the future to build their own microscopes, exploiting recent developments in 3D printing, computing and embedded devices as well as continuously decreasing component cost.
Ways in which these groups will benefit
==============================
The technical developments that we will pursue will allow commercial manufacturers to increase the capability of their instruments and offer improved products that should create demand in their respective markets.
We anticipate increasing use of super-resolution methods in clinical research and diagnosis, particularly the use for advanced pathology diagnosis is a realistic possibility, currently only limited by both complexity and inability of current methods to deal with tissue samples easily. Our improvements in optical performance and ease of use in tissue slice samples, combined with a straightforward implementation, will make this much more practical. It is critical to demonstrate the applicability and versatility of our proposed methods and we therefore aim to conduct several applications directly related to the use by beneficiaries. This includes the study of samples from hearts in failure for improved diagnosis and two other biomedical applications of correlative confocal and focus enhanced super-resolution microscopy.
The types of benefit outlined above make a contribution to the nation's health and wealth and help to enhance quality of life and long term health when applied in the clinical setting.
We anticipate that towards the latter part of the proposed project, once the focus enhanced super-resolution modalities and the use of DNA PAINT technology with our new modality have been established, talks with commercial manufacturers will take place to address commercialisation of the technology (building on our track record with Zeiss, with support from Exeter RKT).
We have also formed a relationship with Badrilla Inc, a biotechnology company in the UK which specialises in immuno-marker technology, to trial the technology with their markers.
The research and technical staff working on this project will acquire advanced skills in applied optical design, computer control of modern imaging hardware and interdisciplinary skills in biophysics, cell biology and imaging applications. The research fellow in particular will acquire and refine a set of skills that should make them sought after for employment in applied computing, optical design, advanced application development and a variety of research and development roles.
Publications
Clowsley A
(2021)
Repeat DNA-PAINT suppresses background and non-specific signals in optical nanoscopy
in Nature Communications
Clowsley AH
(2020)
Detecting Nanoscale Distribution of Protein Pairs by Proximity-Dependent Super-resolution Microscopy.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Eerqing N
(2021)
Comparing Transient Oligonucleotide Hybridization Kinetics Using DNA-PAINT and Optoplasmonic Single-Molecule Sensing on Gold Nanorods
in ACS Photonics
Hofer M
(2018)
Wide field fluorescence epi-microscopy behind a scattering medium enabled by speckle correlations.
in Optics express
Jayasinghe I
(2018)
True Molecular Scale Visualization of Variable Clustering Properties of Ryanodine Receptors.
in Cell reports
Jayasinghe I
(2018)
Shining New Light on the Structural Determinants of Cardiac Couplon Function: Insights From Ten Years of Nanoscale Microscopy.
in Frontiers in physiology
Jin X
(2023)
InsP3R-RyR channel crosstalk augments sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release and arrhythmogenic activity in post-MI pig cardiomyocytes
in Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology
Ladd D
(2019)
Assessing Cardiomyocyte Excitation-Contraction Coupling Site Detection From Live Cell Imaging Using a Structurally-Realistic Computational Model of Calcium Release.
in Frontiers in physiology
Lutz T
(2018)
Versatile multiplexed super-resolution imaging of nanostructures by Quencher-Exchange-PAINT
in Nano Research
Marin Z
(2021)
PYMEVisualize: an open-source tool for exploring 3D super-resolution data.
in Nature methods
Soeller C
(2018)
Ryanodine receptor cluster size sets the tone in cerebral smooth muscle.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Soeller C
(2017)
Correlative Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy and Confocal Microscopy.
in Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Description | We have developed a new method to achieve super-resolution imaging (very high resolution imaging to few nanometers) that uses special molecules called "quenchers" to enable the sequential imaging of many types of molecules in biological samples. We have published this finding in the journal Nano Research. We have also developed a new method to localise and quantify protein pairs which we have published in a preprint and protected the arising IP. |
Exploitation Route | Other users have begun to use our new method for their own purposes and used it within research laboratories to look at both normal and pathology samples. The quantification of receptors and other proteins in pathology samples has potential for guiding clinical treatment decisions. |
Sectors | Chemicals Healthcare |
Description | We have presented our new methods to Professor P Quirke, Pathology & Data Analytics at Leeds University, whose group is working to adapt our findings to quantitative pathology applications for better clinical prediction of outcomes. Professor Quirk and his group are still pursuing this goal and we have been available for scientific advice about our approaches as they relate to their ongoing research in this area. |
First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
Sector | Healthcare |
Impact Types | Societal Economic |
Description | A new super-resolution proximity assay to probe RNA transcription condensates |
Amount | £653,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/T007176/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2020 |
End | 01/2023 |
Title | Python-microscopy Software for SMLM in thick tissues |
Description | We have made our research software python-microscopy-exeter publically available. It now contains new routines for sCMOS camera corrections and the use of DMDs to control the illumination pattern. The software suite is available from the public bitbucket repository. The new functionality was developed as a direct outcome of the EPSRC funded award. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Researchers and other 3rd parties who use super-resolution microscopy can use these reference implementations in their own work. It establishes important new methodology and brings this rapidly into the hand of academic and industrial beneficiaries. |
URL | https://bitbucket.org/christian_soeller/python-microscopy-exeter |
Description | Collaboration Dr. David Baddeley |
Organisation | Yale University |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We collaborate with Dr. Baddeley to establish the software support and expertise from his work on super-resolution microscopy. We have hosted Dr. Baddeley twide to support this award and conducted 2x2 weeks of intensive research with Dr. Baddeley to advance our project. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Baddelely contributed his time and expertise during the extended research stays in Exeter. We upgraded the software and implemented advanced analysis with Dr. Baddeley's support. |
Impact | We have published 3 publications together, these are all associated with this ward in the appropriate section. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Collaboration with Lorenzo Di Michele |
Organisation | University of Cambridge |
Department | Cavendish Laboratory |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have refined the desired properties of our DNA based super-resolution imaging system and asked Dr Di Michele to assist us in designing appropriate DNA tools. |
Collaborator Contribution | A very strong collaboration with Dr. Lorenzo Di Michele, Cambridge, was initiated in 2017. Dr. Di Michele has extensive expertise in DNA nanotechnology which was critical in the recently published journal articles associated with this award. |
Impact | Two publication in Cell Reports and Nano Research have directly arisen from this work. Multidisciplinary, involving microscopy, biology and nanotechnology. |
Start Year | 2017 |