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Optical Microscopy and Spectroscopy for Epigenetic Modifications in Single Living Cells

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Epigenetics and Gene Expression in Cancer, Inflammatory and Immune Diseases

Part of the book series: Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology ((MIPT))

Abstract

Optical imaging with high spatiotemporal resolution and analytical accuracy is becoming the mainstay of tools capable of deciphering molecular dynamics and activities in single living cells. Over the past decades, information obtained by optical imaging has greatly enriched and reshaped our knowledge of biology and medicine. Investigating epigenetic modifications by optical microscopy and spectroscopy is expected to be the wave of the future or might even become the norm to complement biomedical practice. Independent of classical genetic mechanisms, epigenetics has recently drawn substantial attention due to its extensive involvement in physiological and pathological processes, as well as its reversibility. In order to understand the real-time behaviors of epigenetic regulation, nanoscale inspection at the sub-second timescale is imperative. In this chapter we discuss the basics of state-of-the-art optical methods for life science research and their potential applications in imaging live-cell epigenetics. Moreover, with established experience in single-molecule detection, we provide practical guidance on how to choose and adapt optical instrumentations for different applications. Last, recent advancements and representative examples in sensing live-cell epigenetics are reviewed.

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Acknowledgement

The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the W.M. Keck Foundation, National Science Foundation (#1249315), and Purdue Center for Cancer Research Core grant NIH-NCI P30CA023168.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Bindley Bioscience Centre, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA

    Yi Cui & Joseph Irudayaraj

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  1. Yi Cui
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  2. Joseph Irudayaraj
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joseph Irudayaraj .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA

    Barbara Stefanska

  2. Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom

    David J. MacEwan

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Cui, Y., Irudayaraj, J. (2017). Optical Microscopy and Spectroscopy for Epigenetic Modifications in Single Living Cells. In: Stefanska, B., MacEwan, D. (eds) Epigenetics and Gene Expression in Cancer, Inflammatory and Immune Diseases. Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6743-8_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6743-8_9

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-6741-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-6743-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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