Fluorescence lifetime is an intrinsic physical property of fluorescent molecules that provides information beyond fluorescence intensity, enabling insights into molecular environments and interactions. In this seminar, Dr. Masayasu Taki (Institute for Glyco-core Research, Gifu University) will introduce advanced applications of fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) for live-cell analysis, including strategies to visualize mitochondrial inner membrane architecture and lipid droplet dynamics. By combining FLIM with STED super-resolution microscopy, it becomes possible to overcome the diffraction limit and reveal fine ultrastructural remodeling under cellular stress, while mapping local membrane order and lipid compositional changes that are difficult to assess by intensity-based imaging alone.
Following this, Leica Microsystems will present the latest innovations in confocal and super-resolution imaging, featuring STELLARIS with FLIM capabilities and TauSTED Xtend technology. These solutions enable removal of autofluorescence, quantitative FRET measurements, and analysis of parameters such as calcium ion concentration and membrane tension. Moreover, TauSTED Xtend achieves live-cell imaging with lateral resolution down to 30 nm while minimizing photobleaching through reduced laser power compared to conventional STED. Representative data will be shown to illustrate how these technologies empower researchers to capture both the “shape” and “state” of cellular structures with unprecedented detail.