MULTIMODE LIGHT MICROSCOPY AND THE DYNAMICS OF MOLECULES, CELLS, AND TISSUES

There is a renaissance and revolution in light microscopy and its use in biological research, biotechnology, and clinical diagnostics (139, 163). This renaissance has been driven primarily by the need to define the interplay of ions, metabolites, and macromolecules in time and space in living cells and tissues. The goal is to understand fundamental biological functions by temporal-spatial mapping of chemical and molecular events in vivo. The revolution has been fueled by the integration of advances in the heretofore distinct fields of biology, chemistry, physical optics, robotics, and computer science. Powerful new reagents are being used in conjunction with automated light microscope imaging workstations to investigate the contents, activity, and dynamics of living cells and tissues. There are also great challenges. Some challenges involve instrumental