High Resolution pH Imaging
This piece describes how researchers at Osaka University have used a fluorescent probe and microscopy to image the complex energy transduction involved in bacterial locomotion. Quoting directly: “They used fluorescence-based optical microscopy with a dual-wavelength illumination system and an electron-multiplying charge-coupled device camera to detect the presence of a fluorescent protein probe pHluorin. The ratiometric pH probe pHluorin was modified with an M153R mutation to enhance brightness and stability and used to measure the microenvironmental pH surrounding the probe between 5.5 and 8.5 at the emission intensity ratio of 410/470. The objective was to characterize the role played by ATP and protons (H+) in flagellar protein export in Salmonella.” Presumably, this same approach could be used to define the microenvironment of tumor tissue which is characteristically acidic. MORE
Image Credit: Osakha University