FLIM & PLIM Module

Many biological processes — including synaptic plasticity — involve dynamic interactions between proteins. Unfortunately, neither classical biochemical approaches nor normal diffraction-limited fluorescence microscopy provides the required sensitivity or resolution to study these intimate and sometimes transient interactions (1).

Contrasting these methods,Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM)delivers information about changes in the binding, conformation, and composition of biological samples that are not accessible using other techniques. It stands out as the most rigorous method for measuring:

• Molecular environment parameters;
• Protein-interactions by Fӧrster resonance energy transfer (FRET) (2); and
• The metabolic state of cells and tissue via their autofluorescence (3).

Likewise,Phosphorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (PLIM)has become increasingly popular due to the recent development of two-photon-excitable oxygen-sensing probes (4). PLIM allows for quantitative in vivo oxygen measurements at high spatial and temporal resolution with high specificity, which makes it uniquely useful for live-cell and metabolic imaging.

How the FLIM/PLIM Module Supports Advanced Imaging

To leverage these unique capabilities, Bruker has developed a FLIM module based on Becker & Hickl 's FLIM systems. This module is fully integrated with all of Bruker’s多光子显微镜系统, while Bruker’s proprietary Prairie View software enables advanced FLIM and PLIM data acquisition.