Mariano L. Bossi

Fluorescence nanoscopy by ground-state depletion and single-molecule return.

We introduce far-field fluorescence nanoscopy with ordinary fluorophores based on switching the majority of them to a metastable dark state, such as the triplet, and calculating the position of those left or those that spontaneously returned to the ground state. Continuous widefield illumination by a single laser and a continuously operating camera yielded dual-color images of rhodamine- and fluorescent protein–labeled (living) samples, proving a simple yet powerful super-resolution approach.

Multicolor Far-Field Fluorescence Nanoscopy through Isolated Detection of Distinct Molecular Species

By combining the photoswitching and localization of individual fluorophores with spectroscopy on the single molecule level, we demonstrate simultaneous multicolor imaging with low crosstalk and down to 15 nm spatial resolution using only two detection color channels. The applicability of the method to biological specimens is demonstrated on mammalian cells. The combination of far-field fluorescence nanoscopy with the recording of a single switchable molecular species at a time opens up a new class of functional imaging techniques.

STED microscopy resolves nanoparticle assemblies

We demonstrate the ability of stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy, a far-field fluorescence imaging technique with diffraction-unlimited resolution, to reveal the spatial order of fluorescent nanoparticles. Unlike its confocal counterpart, here STED microscopy resolves the arrangements of densely packed 40 nm beads, supramolecular aggregates in a cell membrane, and colloidal nanoparticles. Both raw and linearly deconvolved data disclose unprecedented details of both biological and non-biological nanopatterns.

Fluorescence Nanoscopy with Optical Sectioning by Two‐Photon Induced Molecular Switching using Continuous‐Wave Lasers

During the last decade far-field fluorescence microscopy methods have evolved that have resolution far below the wavelength of light. To outperform the limiting role of diffraction, all these methods, in one way or another, switch the ability of a molecule to emit fluorescence. Here we present a novel rhodamine amide that can be photoswitched from a nonfluorescent to a fluorescent state by absorption of one or two photons from a continuous-wave laser beam. This bright marker enables strict control of on/off switching and provides single-molecule localization precision down to 15 nm in the focal plane. Two-photon induced nonlinear photoswitching of this marker with continuous-wave illumination offers optical sectioning with simple laser equipment. Future synthesis of similar compounds holds great promise for cost-effective fluorescence nanoscopy with noninvasive optical sectioning.

Novel red fluorophores with superior performance in STED microscopy

In optical microscopy, most red-emitting dyes provide only moderate performance due to unspecific binding, poor labeling efficiency, and insufficient brightness. Here we report on four novel red fluororescent dyes, including the first phosphorylated dye, created by combining a rigidized rhodamine backbone with various polar groups. They exhibit large fluorescence quantum yields and improved NHS ester stability. While these fluorophores are highly suitable for fluorescence microscopy in general, they excel in stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy, providing < 25 nm spatial resolution in raw images of cells.

Breaking the diffraction resolution barrier in far-field microscopy by molecular optical bistability

We demonstrate the breaking of the diffraction resolution barrier in far-field fluorescence microscopy by photoswitching ensembles of optically bistable organic molecular markers from a non-fluorescent to a fluorescent state and back. The photoswitching is accomplished by an isomerization reaction of a photochromic compound serving as a reversible energy acceptor of a fluorescent compound. The surpassing of the diffraction barrier with power levels of only a few hundred W cm−2 of continuous wave irradiation is evidenced both in the effective point spread function and in the fluorescence images of test samples.

Nanoscale separation of molecular species based on their rotational mobility

We combine far-field fluorescence nanoscopy through serialized recording of switchable emitters with polarization-sensitive fluorescence detection. In addition to imaging with nanoscale spatial resolution, this technique allows determination of the fluorescence anisotropy of each detected dipole emitter and thus an estimate of its rotational mobility. Sub-populations of fluorescent markers can thus be separated based on their interaction with the sample. We applied this new functional nanoscopy to imaging of living mammalian cells.

Carboxylated photoswitchable diarylethenes for biolabeling and super-resolution RESOLFT microscopy.

Abstract Reversibly photoswitchable 1,2‐bis(2‐ethyl‐6‐phenyl‐1‐benzothiophene‐1,1‐dioxide‐3‐yl)perfluorocyclopentenes (EBT) having fluorescent “closed” forms were decorated with four or eight carboxylic groups and attached to antibodies. Low aggregation, efficient photoswitching in aqueous buffers, specific staining of cellular structures, and good photophysical properties were demonstrated. Alternating light pulses of UV and blue light induce numerous reversible photochemical transformations between two stables states with distinct structures. Using relatively low light intensities, EBTs were applied in biology‐related super‐resolution microscopy based on the reversible saturable (switchable) optical linear fluorescence transitions (RESOLFT) and demonstrated optical resolution of 75 nm.

Fluorescence photoactivation by intermolecular proton transfer.

We designed a strategy to activate fluorescence under the influence of optical stimulations based on the intermolecular transfer of protons. Specifically, the illumination of a 2-nitrobenzyl derivative at an activating wavelength is accompanied by the release of hydrogen bromide. In turn, the photogenerated acid encourages the opening of an oxazine ring embedded within a halochromic compound. This structural transformation extends the conjugation of an adjacent coumarin fluorophore and enables its absorption at an appropriate excitation wavelength. Indeed, this bimolecular system offers the opportunity to activate fluorescence in liquid solutions, within rigid matrixes and inside micellar assemblies, relying on the interplay of activating and exciting beams. Furthermore, this strategy permits the permanent imprinting of fluorescent patterns on polymer films, the monitoring of proton diffusion within such materials in real time on a millisecond time scale, and the acquisition of images with spatial resolution at the nanometer level. Thus, our operating principles for fluorescence activation can eventually lead to the development of valuable photoswitchable probes for imaging applications and versatile mechanisms for the investigation of proton transport.

Superresolution Imaging with Switchable Fluorophores Based on Oxazine Auxochromes

The spatial resolution of fluorescence microscopes is limited by diffraction to about half of the light wavelength, hampering the observation of many important intracellular processes. Recent emerging techniques have overcome that diffraction barrier using the temporal discrimination of close objects that are otherwise unresolved or blurred within the spatial resolution of the microscope. The key of these techniques is to switch the signal of fluorescence markers on and off exploiting their distinct molecular states, and detect and localize these markers at the single‐molecule level. This underlying principle highlights the critical role of the photophysical properties of the probes, and the importance of finding adequate switching mechanisms. Here, we present strategies to achieve fluorescence modulation based on novel molecular assemblies containing a [1,3]oxazine as the two states, building block responsible for the transformation. Two different triggering events, based on the photochromic and halochromic properties of the oxazine, induce a large absorption and emission bathochromic shift of a pendant fluorophore, as the ultimate fluorescence switching event. The implementation of these approaches to achieve spatial resolution beyond the diffraction limit is also discussed.