The elucidation of the structure of compartimentalized microgels (nanogels) and microgel structures is challenging since they do not possess strong contrast for electron microscopy, and since classical fluorescence microscopy fails due to the fact that their structures are significantly smaller than the diffraction limit of optical light. However, modern superresolved fluorescence microscopy methods such as dSTORM (direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy) reach resolutions down to typically 10-30 nm and, therefore, are highly suited to fill this gap of structural in situ imaging. In this contribution, the success of superresolution fluorescence imaging methods to address research questions concerning microgels and their application in determining the spatial distribution of implemented functionalities will be demonstrated. In addition, the challenge to gain reliable 3D information in fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging will be discussed.

Superresolution fluorescence microscopy for the in situ visualization of compartmentalized microgels / nanogels

255th National Meeting (2018)

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