TIRF Microscopy

Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Microscopy is a powerful imaging technique that allows scientists to visualize individual molecules within a sample. It works by shining a laser light at an angle that causes it to be reflected within a glass-slide boundary, creating an evanescent wave that excites fluorescence in nearby molecules, but only within a very thin layer (about 200 nm) from the surface. This selective illumination enhances the contrast of the images, making it easier to study dynamic processes at cell membranes, such as protein interactions, with high resolution and sensitivity.