Super-resolution imaging of flat-mounted whole mouse cornea

Artificial Intelligence-Empowered Spectroscopic Single Molecule Localization Microscopy

Spectroscopic single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) has revolutionized the visualization and analysis of molecular structures and dynamics at the nanoscale level. The technique of combining high spatial resolution of SMLM with spectral information, enables multicolor super-resolution imaging and provides insights into the local chemical environment of individual molecules. However, spectroscopic SMLM faces significant challenges, including limited spectral resolution and compromised localization precision because of signal splitting and the difficulties in analyzing complex, multidimensional datasets, that limit its application in studying intricate biological systems and materials. The recent integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with spectroscopic SMLM has emerged as a powerful approach for addressing these challenges. Here, it is reviewed how AI-based methods applied to spectroscopic SMLM enhance and expand the capabilities of these applications. Recent advancements in AI-driven data analysis for spectroscopic SMLM, including improved spectral classification, localization precision, and extraction of rich spectral information from unmodified point-spread functions are discussed, further examining their applications in biological studies, materials science, and single-molecule reaction analysis, which highlight how AI provides new insights into molecular behavior and interactions. The AI-empowered approach adds new dimensions of information and provides new opportunities and insights into the nanoscale world of rapidly evolving field of spectroscopic SMLM.

Multiscale imaging of corneal endothelium damage and Rho-kinase inhibitor application in mouse models of acute ocular hypertension

We developed a multiscale optical imaging workflow, integrating and correlating visible-light optical coherence tomography, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and single-molecule localization microscopy to investigate mouse cornea damage from the in-vivo tissue level to the nanoscopic single-molecule level. We used electron microscopy to validate the imaged nanoscopic structures. We imaged wild-type mice and mice with acute ocular hypertension and examined the effects of Rho-kinase inhibitor application. We defined four types of intercellular tight junction structures as healthy, compact, partially-distorted, and fully-distorted types by labeling the zonula occludens-1 protein in the corneal endothelial cell layer. We correlated the statistics of the four types of tight junction structures with cornea thickness and intraocular pressure. We found that the population of fully-distorted tight junctions correlated well with the level of corneal edema, and applying Rho-kinase inhibitor reduced the population of fully-distorted tight junctions under acute ocular hypertension. Together, these data point to the utility of multiscale optical imaging in revealing fundamental biology relevant to disease and therapeutics.

Multiscale imaging of corneal endothelium damage and effects of Rho Kinase inhibitor application in mouse models of acute ocular hypertension

We developed a multiscale optical imaging workflow, integrating and correlating visible-light optical coherence tomography, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and single-molecule localization microscopy to investigate the mouse cornea damages from the in-vivo tissue level to the nanoscopic single-molecule level. We used electron microscopy to validate the imaged nanoscopic structures. We imaged wild-type mice and mice with acute ocular hypertension and examined the effects of Rho Kinase inhibitor application. We defined four types of intercellular tight junction structures as healthy, compact, partially-distorted, and fully-distorted types by labeling the Zonula occludens-1 protein in the corneal endothelial cell layer. We correlated the statistics of the four types of tight junction structures with cornea thickness and intraocular pressure. We found that the population of fully-distorted tight junctions correlated well with the level of cornea edema, and applying Rho Kinase inhibitor reduced the population of fully-distorted tight junctions under acute ocular hypertension.