Live-cell imaging of alkyne-tagged small biomolecules by stimulated Raman scattering.

Wei, Lu; Hu, Fanghao; Shen, Yihui; Chen, Zhixing; Yu, Yong; Lin, Chih-Chun; Wang, Meng C; Min, Wei · Nat Methods · 2014

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Sensitive and specific visualization of small biomolecules in living systems is highly challenging. We report stimulated Raman-scattering imaging of alkyne tags as a general strategy for studying a broad spectrum of small biomolecules in live cells and animals. We demonstrate this technique by tracking alkyne-bearing drugs in mouse tissues and visualizing de novo synthesis of DNA, RNA, proteins, phospholipids and triglycerides through metabolic incorporation of alkyne-tagged small precursors.

Medical subject headings