DMMC Course: TECHNIQUES & STRATEGIES IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE

1530-1610 Friday 10 December 2004. Houston Lecture Theatre, RCSI

Cells & tissues – confocal microscopy and real time imaging Dr Yuri Volkov, TCD

Recent years have witnessed a rapid progress in the development of novel methods permitting high-resolution visualisation of cell receptor dynamics and intracellular biochemical processes. Among these, confocal microscopic live cell imaging enables researchers to monitor individual cell behaviour over extended periods of time without significant photodamage or bleaching of the fluorescent signal. The observed events can be analysed in 3-D and 4-D (three dimensional over time). Another powerful tool of biomedical research and diagnostics is represented by the Cellomics KineticScan workstation. Based on the novel technological concept of high content screening, it allows analysis of molecular interactions in individual cells and their populations at sub-cellular level under physiological conditions. This novel technology not only facilitates development of a better understanding of the true functionality of target molecules in living cells, but it can also promote the design of highly informative screens for novel therapeutic drugs, including inhibitors at small molecule and gene therapy level applicable in inflammation and cancer. The lecture will provide an insight into the basic principles of these technologies and their potential applications.