3D super-resolution live-cell imaging with radial symmetry and Fourier light-field microscopy

Abstract

Live-cell imaging reveals the phenotypes and mechanisms of cellular function and their dysfunction that underscore cell physiology, development, and pathology. Here, we report a 3D super-resolution live-cell microscopy method by integrating radiality analysis and Fourier light-field microscopy (<i>rad-</i>FLFM). We demonstrated the method using various live-cell specimens, including actins in Hela cells, microtubules in mammary organoid cells, and peroxisomes in COS-7 cells. Compared with conventional wide-field microscopy, <i>rad-</i>FLFM realizes scanning-free, volumetric 3D live-cell imaging with sub-diffraction-limited resolution of ∼150 nm (<i>x-y</i>) and 300 nm (<i>z</i>), milliseconds volume acquisition time, six-fold extended depth of focus of ∼6 µm, and low photodamage. The method provides a promising avenue to explore spatiotemporal-challenging subcellular processes in a wide range of cell biological research.