State-of-the-art microscopy to understand Islets of Langerhans: what to expect next?

Langerhans' discovery and microscopic description of Islets in the pancreas was the crucial step in the discovery of insulin. Over the past 150 years many discoveries in Islet biology and Type 1 diabetes where also made by the powerful microscopic techniques. In the past decade, combination of new probes, animal and tissue models, application of new biosensors and automation of light and electron microscopic methods and other (sub)cellular imaging modalities have proven their potential in understanding the beta cell under (patho)physiological conditions. The imaging evolution, from fluorescent jelly fish to real time intravital functional imaging, the revolution in automation and data handling as well as increased resolving power of analytical imaging techniques are now converging. Here, we review innovative approaches that allow to address Islet biology from new angles by studying cells and molecules at high spatiotemporal resolution and in life models. Broad implementation of these cellular imaging techniques will shed new light in cause/ consequence of (mal)function in Islet of Langerhans in the years to come.