R&D Fast Facts - Understanding FPALM’s Powers
Researchers
- Assistant Professor Sam Hess, physics (207) 581-1036
- Professor and Dept. Chair Susan McKay, physics (207) 581-1015
What is FPALM?
Created by researchers at the University of Maine, Fluorescence Photoactivation Localization Microscopy (FPALM) is a new type of microscope that allows users to find out where molecules are in an object and separate them as individual entities – something that’s never been done before.
What can it tell us?
FPALM is being used to image living cells with membranes that contain a protein that enables infection by the influenza virus. It also can image a variety of other biological and some non-biological systems and has the potential to help us better understand diseases.
The recent extension of FPALM to include 3-D imaging and provide information about the orientation of single molecules will help address important biological questions. Already, the ability to image living cells has helped UMaine scientists disprove several existing models of membrane organization.
What makes it special?
Unlike traditional microscopes that look at all the molecules at once, FPALM separates molecules to provide new images that have resolutions that are 20 times better than those provided by traditional light microscopes.
How does it work?
FPALM uses lasers to excite dye molecules on the surface of the subject being observed. Single molecules can be separated out and the laser causes a portion of the molecules to fluoresce, and the light given off creates an image that can be captured digitally.
What’s next?
The Maine Technology Asset Fund has awarded the FPALM project $883,000 to renovate and expand UMaine’s Bennett Hall to include an image processing laboratory, equipment to enhance FPALM capabilities, an office suite, an incubator space for commercialization, and a laboratory for multimedia presentations and internet video conferencing. The upgrades will enhance the types and number of samples that can be imaged by FPALM and will increase new technology development.
Project partners:
Cancer Care of Maine, Eastern Maine Medical Center, Jackson Laboratory, and the Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research.
