MultiModLabPro · Multimodal labelling probes for correlative nanoscale mass spectroscopy imaging, optical and electron microscopies

The applications of the integrative imaging approach relying on a unique combination of correlative microscopy methods such as secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) and optical microscopies such as stimulated emission depletion (STED) and electron microscopy (EM) are powered by the development of novel labelling probes for imaging, which play a pivotal role in their progress. There is currently a lack of new probes that can provide a high signal-to-noise ratio and low background in correlative microscopy during the acquisition process by photon counter and mass detector. Therefore, many scientists still cannot apply these advanced microscopy methods to their samples. The unique probe features will result in better contrast and spatio-temporal resolution of the obtained images. Now organic chemists can use the developed organometallic reactions to obtain the target fluorophores for probe construction. This research initiative relying on the tailor-made design and elaborated synthetic strategies will allow obtaining a new class of unique imaging probes with optimized optical properties. The new labelling probes, together with the optimized protocols for sample preparation and image analysis, will help get better image quality, which altogether will provide multi-dimensional information about the studied samples. I will develop new labelling tools for correlative multimodal imaging. Structure-property optimization of such labelling tools requires a tailor-made design of the fluorescent dye, which will not compromise intrinsic photophysical properties responsible for its fluorescence, such as ""photon"" or quantum yield. I will employ three different biochemical approaches to obtain the labelling probes. The probe design comprising functionalized nanobodies, gold nanoparticles, and fluorophores will be unique. I foresee a broad application of the obtained probes for multimodal bioimaging when they become available to a community of cell biologists and microscopists.""