Advances in super-resolution fluorescence microscopy for the study of nano–cell interactions

Abstract

Understanding the interactions between nanomaterials and biological systems plays an essential role in enhancing the efficacy of nanomedicines and deepening the understanding of the biological domain. Fluorescence microscopy is a powerful optical imaging technique that allows direct visualization of the behavior of fluorescent-labeled nanomaterials in the intracellular microenvironment. However, conventional fluorescence microscopy, such as confocal microscopy, has limited optical resolution due to the diffraction of light and therefore cannot provide the precise details of nanomaterials with diameters of less than ∼250 nm. Fortunately, the development of super-resolution fluorescence microscopy has overcome the resolution limitation, enabling more comprehensive studies of nano–cell interactions. Herein, we have summarized the recent advances in nano–cell interactions investigated by a variety of super-resolution microscopic techniques, which may benefit researchers in this multi-disciplinary area by providing a guideline to select appropriate platforms for studying materiobiology.