Phototoxicity in live fluorescence microscopy, and how to avoid it

Jaroslav Icha; Michael Weber; Jennifer C. Waters; Caren Norden

doi:10.1002/bies.201700003

journal article Jul 27, 2017

Phototoxicity in live fluorescence microscopy, and how to avoid it

Jaroslav Icha

Michael Weber

Jennifer C. Waters

Caren Norden

BioEssays Vol. 39 No. 8 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/bies.201700003

Abstract

Phototoxicity frequently occurs during live fluorescence microscopy, and its consequences are often underestimated. Damage to cellular macromolecules upon excitation light illumination can impair sample physiology, and even lead to sample death. In this review, we explain how phototoxicity influences live samples, and we highlight that, besides the obvious effects of phototoxicity, there are often subtler consequences of illumination that are imperceptible when only the morphology of samples is examined. Such less apparent manifestations of phototoxicity are equally problematic, and can change the conclusions drawn from an experiment. Thus, limiting phototoxicity is a prerequisite for obtaining reproducible quantitative data on biological processes. We present strategies to reduce phototoxicity, e.g. limiting the illumination to the focal plane and suggest controls for phototoxicity effects. Overall, we argue that phototoxicity needs increased attention from researchers when designing experiments, and when evaluating research findings.

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References

Details

Published: Jul 27, 2017
Vol/Issue: 39(8)
License: View

Authors

J

Jaroslav Icha

Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics Dresden Germany

M

Michael Weber

Department of Cell Biology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA

J

Jennifer C. Waters

Department of Cell Biology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA

C

Caren Norden

Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics Dresden Germany

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Award: SFB 655, A25

Human Frontier Science Program Award: CDA‐00007/2011

Cite This Article

Jaroslav Icha, Michael Weber, Jennifer C. Waters, et al. (2017). Phototoxicity in live fluorescence microscopy, and how to avoid it. BioEssays, 39(8). https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.201700003

Phototoxicity in live fluorescence microscopy, and how to avoid it

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