Seeing inside the cell using live-paint: a new way to image proteins in living cells using superresolution microscopy

Superresolution techniques have enabled scientists to view structures within cells with a much higher resolution than conventional microscopy. Despite the number of superresolution microscopy techniques available, achieving superresolution in live cells remains challenging. For example, photo-activated localization microscopy (PALM) can be used in vivo but requires direct fusion of a fluorophore to the protein of interest. This approach can be problematic because a direct fusion to a fluorescent protein can disrupt the normal function and localization of the protein being studied.