FRAP, FRET, FLIM, TIRF & PHOTOMANIPULATION

Advanced microscopy approaches such as TIRF, FRAP, FRET or FLIM make it possible to explore molecular dynamics and interactions at the subcellular scale with high spatial and temporal resolution. Complementary to classical confocal microscopy techniques, they offer privileged access to the study of membranes, the cytoskeleton, protein mobility or even molecular interactions within living samples.

TRI-Genotoul develops these approaches to address a variety of biological issues. TIRF (Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence) microscopy enables the selective observation of events occurring in the immediate vicinity of the plasma membrane thanks to excitation confined to a few tens to hundreds of nanometres. FRAP (Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching) techniques, meanwhile, make it possible to study the mobility and turnover of fluorescent molecules in living cells. FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer) and FLIM (Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy) approaches provide access to the analysis of molecular interactions and nanometric proximities between fluorophore-labelled proteins, paving the way for a detailed characterisation of dynamic cellular mechanisms. in situ.

FRAP, optogenetics, photoactivation and photoablation techniques make it possible to study and manipulate living matter in order to analyse cell dynamics, gene expression or the remodelling of cellular structures. Optical tweezers, which are based on the use of light, provide non-invasive manipulation of cellular objects and make it possible to measure forces and physical properties at the nanoscale with very high precision.

Based on the use of light to capture and move objects, optical tweezers are a non-invasive technique for manipulating organelles and measuring cell tension or adhesion forces. In addition, the interferometry system locates objects to the nearest nanometre to refine the measurement of their physical properties.