Leica Microsystems has revealed a new STED microscopy approach that enables extended multicolor live cell imaging at nanoscopic resolution. By combining spatial and lifetime information, TauSTED Xtend resolves details of live or intact specimens at nanoscale. At the same time, the access to that extra level of information allows working at extremely low light dose. This gives scientists more time to perform in-depth studies of biological processes with cutting-edge resolution capabilities.

“TauSTED Xtend ensures that live cell experiments can be carried out over a longer time span thanks to the balance of light exposure and resolution which leads to gentler imaging at stunning nanoscale depths,” said James O’Brien, vice president of life sciences and applied solutions at Leica Microsystems. “Researchers can now reveal the invisible in unexplored areas of research.”

The new technique works on-the-fly, allowing researchers to directly monitor fast biological processes at nanoscale resolution. They can therefore make the most of their experimental window by seeing what happens as it happens.

“TauSTED Xtend offers new opportunities for single and multicolor experiments with green fluorescent proteins and fluorophores that are a workhorse in life science research and currently underused in nanoscopy studies,” said Ulf Schwarz, application manager confocal microscopy at Leica Microsystems. “Scientists can now effectively scale their experiment down to the nanoscale using familiar protocols and a wide range of fluorescent labels and markers commonly used in biological research.”

The approach is the next step in the evolution of stimulated emission depletion (STED) imaging, offering extended live-cell-imaging times at the cutting edge of nanoscale resolution. Leica developed TauSTED  in 2019, leveraging FLIM and lifetime-based technologies to improve image quality and increase image resolution. In combination with the Leica Stellaris 8 Falcon FLIM microscope, it is now possible to perform multifluorophore STED imaging with lifetime-based species separation.