Flat Cell Imaging

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple and effective method to flatten live cells to 200 nanometers thickness, enabling high-resolution imaging of cellular dynamics without affecting cell viability or phenotype.

Contribution

The authors developed a novel flat cell imaging technique using surface-treated plates and osmotic control, suitable for live cell imaging at nanometer-scale resolution.

Findings

Cells remain viable and phenotypically unchanged after flattening.

The method allows high-resolution imaging of cellular components in live cells.

Flattened cells can be maintained and imaged effectively for dynamic studies.

Abstract

Recent advances in optical technology have significantly enhanced the resolution of imaging of living cells, achieving nanometer-scale precision. However, the crowded three-dimensional environment within cells presents a challenge for measuring the spatio-temporal dynamics of cellular components. One solution to this issue is expansion microscopy, which cannot be used for living cells. Here, we present a method for flattening live cells to a thickness of down to 200 nanometers by confining them between two surface-treated transparent plates. The anti-fouling coating on the surfaces restricts the cells to a quasi-two-dimensional space by exerting osmotic control and preventing surface adhesion. This technique increases the distance between cellular components, thereby enabling high-resolution imaging of their spatio-temporal dynamics. The viability and phenotype of various cell types are demonstrated to be unaltered upon release from flat-cell confinement. The flat cell imaging method is a robust and straightforward technique, making it a practical choice for optical microscopy.