Advancing Technologies Transform Life Science Products Research
Developments in optogenetics and chemical biology have given scientists new ways to control and monitor specific cellular events with high spatiotemporal precision. For example, light-activated "photoswitches" allow researchers to turn individual target proteins on or off with beams of light, enabling investigation of protein function. Chemically-induced dimerization tools let proteins be brought together or separated using small molecule triggers. Microfluidic devices now offer versatile platforms to manipulate cells and their microenvironments at the single-cell level.
Single-Cell Analysis Gains Momentum
Understanding cellular heterogeneity at the single-cell level has become a key focus of research. New single-cell analysis methods have revolutionized our ability to examine differences between individual cells, characterize rare cell types, and study dynamic cellular processes over time. Advanced microfluidic devices and mass cytometry now enable simultaneous analysis of dozens of markers at the single-cell level. Single-cell RNA sequencing has provided an unprecedented view of gene expression patterns in thousands of individual cells and revealed new rare cell states.
Integrative analysis combining genomic, epigenomic and transcriptomic data from the same single cells is helping to decipher complex regulatory networks controlling cellular identity and state transitions. Life Science Products ability to profile epigenetic features like chromatin accessibility and DNA methylation patterns in single cells is further enhancing our understanding of how cells maintain distinct fates and responses. These advances are fueling major progress in areas like cancer biology, immunology, developmental biology and neuroscience.
Advanced Bioimaging to Visualize Complex Systems
Massive improvements in bioimaging hardware, probes, and image processing software are enabling visualization and quantification of biological structures and processes with higher resolution, sensitivity, speed and dimensionality than ever before. New super-resolution fluorescence microscopy methods break the diffraction limit to resolve nanoscale cellular structures. Light sheet microscopy allows versatile multi-dimensional high-speed imaging of intact model organisms and tissues.
