Work

Imaging Techniques for the Study of Protein Condensates and Filaments and Their Applications

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Protein condensates and filaments are both intracellular structures characterized by their ability to facilitate specific biological functions. Their formation is primarily driven by phase separation, which can be elucidated by fluorescence microscopy or electron microscopy. Here we summarize the main studies on protein condensates and filaments organized according to the techniques used, including fluorescence methods like localization screening, fluorescence co-localization spectroscopy, methods based on photobleaching, super-resolution imaging, and electron methods including negative-stain electron microscopy and cryo-EM. We also discuss correlative light/electron microscopy (CLEM), which integrates fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy to provide complementary insights. Collectively, these methods offer temporal and spatial insights into investigating the phase separation of protein condensates and filaments, and promote the discovery of unexplored structures and their yet-to-be-characterized biological roles.

Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/ijms27073063

Authors: Xiaotang Shen, Yueyang Liu, Yan-Wen Tan

Institutions: Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics

Language: English

Topic: RNA Research and Splicing

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,499

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key Research and Development Program of China