Applications of confocal laser scanning microscope in the research of antimicrobial mechanism

Abstract:

Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM or LSCM) offers higher resolution than traditional optical microscopy due to use of laser illumination source, pinhole spatial filter and point scanning technology. In combination with other biological technologies, CLSM enables the qualitative and quantitative characterization of various biochemical ingredient in situ. As CLSM is a valuable tool for observing living cells, obtaining scan-images of thick specimens at various depths and three-dimensional reconstructions, it has great application in the research of antimicrobial and anti-biofilm. This paper concerns the applications of CLSM in the cellular distribution of microbicides and its effect on cell membrane, metabolic pathways, as well as the formation and structure of biofilm.