Nanoscale Imaging of Synapses New Concepts and Opportunities [Paperback]

Synapses underlie rapid and flexible neural communication in the brain and they hold the key to understanding higher brain functions in health and disease. Because they are very small and highly dynamic, it is very difficult to study them with traditional techniques. Fortunately, recent ground-breaking advances in optical microscopy (e.g. STED, PALM, STORM, SIM) have greatly improved our ability to image living synapses at the nanoscale, even down to the level of single molecules. The proposed volume brings together leading researchers to review these exciting new techniques and their application in neurobiological research. It will explain and discuss the basic principles behind the various superresolution modalities, how they are implemented, what their scope and limitations are etc. In addition, several key research discoveries on synapses enabled by these novel approaches will be highlighted.

With chapters contributed by leading innovators in the field of bioimaging, this volume covers the super-resolution methods which are beginning to transform neurobiological research on synapses, which hold the key to understanding higher-brain functions.

Preface

1. Nanoscale imaging of protein molecules at the postsynaptic density
Xiaobing Chen, Christine Winters, Rita Azzam, Alioscka A. Sousa, Richard D. Leapman, and Thomas S. Reese?

2. Electron tomography for the study of synaptic ultrastructure in fixed brain sections
Alain C. Burette and Richard J. Weinberg

3. Time-resolved electron microscopy: coupling optogenetics with high-pressure freezing
Shigeki Watanabe, M. Wayne Davis and Erik M. Jorgensen?

4. Investigating AMPA receptors diffusion and nanoscale organization at synapses with high density single molecule tracking methods
Audrey Constals, Eric Hosy and Danilƒ#