ECM goes down a STORM in the glomerulus

Using a new high-resolution imaging technique—sub-diffraction resolution stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM)—researchers have determined the molecular organization of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the glomerular basement membrane at a nanoscale level. The authors used STORM to analyse the distribution of agrin, laminin and collagen IV subdomains in mice and humans. Changes in distribution were seen in a mouse model of Alport syndrome, suggesting that STORM might be useful for detecting subtle protein changes in kidney diseases.