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Editorial: The latest in imaging technology

Editorial: The latest in imaging technology T o scientists, technologists and engineers, the saying “seeing is believing” perhaps has a more profound meaning than to most people. Since the late 16 th century, when microscopes were first invented, our ability to delve into the microcosm of being has revolutionized not only scientific thinking but also our sense of who we are and our place in the world. Biotechnology Journal too, has recognized the importance of visualizing the world around us, from our special issue in 2009 on “Host and Pathogen Interactions” [ 1 ], to the more recent review articles on the latest progress in imaging, such as super‐resolution imaging with spectral precision distance microscopy [ 2 ], and lensless imaging and its application in resource‐limited settings [ 3 ]. In this issue of BTJ we feature a collection of articles that report the latest in imaging technology and its applications. In the review article by Yves Waché and colleagues [ 4 ] the authors discuss the current status of fluorescence and imaging technologies and how these have been applied to improve our understanding of basic physiology. In addition to fluorescent labels, the authors also discuss extensively various microscopy techniques, such as multiphoton excitation fluorescence microscopy, parametric fluorescence imaging, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. The authors also provide an outlook of advancements in microscopy and discuss various emerging technologies. One such emerging technology, coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy was applied by Annika Enejder and colleagues to monitor lipid accumulation in yeast during large‐scale fermentations [ 5 ]. The main advantage of CARS is its independence from fluorescent labels (or expression of fluorescence molecules) and the perturbations that may result from this. In “ApoTome to visualize E‐cadherin and p63 expression in oral pre‐cancer”, Das et al. [ 6 ] describe the use of “ApoTome”, which is an imaging process that can be fitted to conventional wide‐field fluorescence microscopes to provide better image quality and also improve detection of spatial distribution in immunohisochemistry samples. The authors apply the technique to obtain precise location of p63 and E‐cadherin, which has significant diagnostic value in oral cancer. While seeing is indeed believing, there is one inherent caveat to what we actually “see”. We have come a long way since the traditional microscopes, which were not able to provide information in a three‐dimensional (3D) form. The modern techniques have made a significant leap in providing biological information in a 3D form; however, we must bear in mind that this 3D reconstruction is exactly what the name entails, i.e. a reconstruction of the available information based on mathematical algorithms. As with all assumptions, there is a certain amount of risk associated with it, and it is important that we retain some scepticism when interpreting the image before us. The latest technologies have the potential to revolutionize our view of biology and provide the next paradigm shift, but only when we interpret the information while taking into consideration the caveats and potential pitfalls. Judy Peng, PhD. Managing Editor, Biotechnology Journal Prof. Alois Jungbauer Co‐Editor‐in‐Chief, Biotechnology Journal http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Biotechnology Journal Wiley

Editorial: The latest in imaging technology

Peng, Judy; Jungbauer, Alois
Biotechnology Journal , Volume 7 (5) – May 1, 2012
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References (6)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 2012 Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
ISSN
1860-6768
eISSN
1860-7314
DOI
10.1002/biot.201200140
pmid
22532412
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

T o scientists, technologists and engineers, the saying “seeing is believing” perhaps has a more profound meaning than to most people. Since the late 16 th century, when microscopes were first invented, our ability to delve into the microcosm of being has revolutionized not only scientific thinking but also our sense of who we are and our place in the world. Biotechnology Journal too, has recognized the importance of visualizing the world around us, from our special issue in 2009 on “Host and Pathogen Interactions” [ 1 ], to the more recent review articles on the latest progress in imaging, such as super‐resolution imaging with spectral precision distance microscopy [ 2 ], and lensless imaging and its application in resource‐limited settings [ 3 ]. In this issue of BTJ we feature a collection of articles that report the latest in imaging technology and its applications. In the review article by Yves Waché and colleagues [ 4 ] the authors discuss the current status of fluorescence and imaging technologies and how these have been applied to improve our understanding of basic physiology. In addition to fluorescent labels, the authors also discuss extensively various microscopy techniques, such as multiphoton excitation fluorescence microscopy, parametric fluorescence imaging, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. The authors also provide an outlook of advancements in microscopy and discuss various emerging technologies. One such emerging technology, coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy was applied by Annika Enejder and colleagues to monitor lipid accumulation in yeast during large‐scale fermentations [ 5 ]. The main advantage of CARS is its independence from fluorescent labels (or expression of fluorescence molecules) and the perturbations that may result from this. In “ApoTome to visualize E‐cadherin and p63 expression in oral pre‐cancer”, Das et al. [ 6 ] describe the use of “ApoTome”, which is an imaging process that can be fitted to conventional wide‐field fluorescence microscopes to provide better image quality and also improve detection of spatial distribution in immunohisochemistry samples. The authors apply the technique to obtain precise location of p63 and E‐cadherin, which has significant diagnostic value in oral cancer. While seeing is indeed believing, there is one inherent caveat to what we actually “see”. We have come a long way since the traditional microscopes, which were not able to provide information in a three‐dimensional (3D) form. The modern techniques have made a significant leap in providing biological information in a 3D form; however, we must bear in mind that this 3D reconstruction is exactly what the name entails, i.e. a reconstruction of the available information based on mathematical algorithms. As with all assumptions, there is a certain amount of risk associated with it, and it is important that we retain some scepticism when interpreting the image before us. The latest technologies have the potential to revolutionize our view of biology and provide the next paradigm shift, but only when we interpret the information while taking into consideration the caveats and potential pitfalls. Judy Peng, PhD. Managing Editor, Biotechnology Journal Prof. Alois Jungbauer Co‐Editor‐in‐Chief, Biotechnology Journal

Journal

Biotechnology Journal – Wiley

Published: May 1, 2012

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