Special Feature
Method of the Year 2008
- Special Feature issue:
- January 2009 Volume 6, No 1
Nature Methods' Method of the Year 2008 goes to super-resolution fluorescence microscopy. This series of articles—and the related movie—showcase how these novel imaging methods came into their own in 2008 and the incredible impact they promise to have in biological research. The Methods to Watch feature provides a glimpse of future Methods of the Year and the Reader's Choice shows methods nominated by readers and editors, and the votes that they received.
Editorials
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Method of the Year 2008 - p1
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.244
With its tremendous potential for understanding cellular biology now poised to become a reality, super-resolution fluorescence microscopy is our choice for Method of the Year.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2008 | PDF (53 KB) - Method of the Year 2008
News Feature
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Super-resolution microscopy: breaking the limits - pp15 - 18
Kelly Rae Chi
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.234
After a long period of measured development and a recent surge of technical advances driven by physicists, super-resolution fluorescence microscopy emerged in 2008 as a powerful tool for biologists. Kelly Rae Chi reports.
Abstract - | Full Text - Super-resolution microscopy: breaking the limits | PDF (765 KB) - Super-resolution microscopy: breaking the limits
Primer
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Primer: fluorescence imaging under the diffraction limit - pp19 - 20
Daniel Evanko
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.235
A brief description of the theory and methods behind super-resolution fluorescence imaging.
Abstract - | Full Text - Primer: fluorescence imaging under the diffraction limit | PDF (355 KB) - Primer: fluorescence imaging under the diffraction limit
Commentary
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Putting super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to work - pp21 - 23
Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz & Suliana Manley
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.233
Super-resolution microscopy is poised to revolutionize our understanding of the workings of the cell. But the technology still has some limitations, and these must be taken into consideration if widespread application is to yield biological insight.
Abstract - | Full Text - Putting super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to work | PDF (371 KB) - Putting super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to work
Perspective
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Microscopy and its focal switch - pp24 - 32
Stefan W Hell
doi:10.1038/nmeth.1291
Abstract - | Full Text - Microscopy and its focal switch | PDF (513 KB) - Microscopy and its focal switch
Methods to Watch
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Induced pluripotency - p33
Natalie de Souza
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.236
Methods to reprogram somatic cells to pluripotency have improved and will improve further; more biological studies of these cells are forthcoming.
First Paragraph - | Full Text - Induced pluripotency | PDF (420 KB) - Induced pluripotency
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Synthetic life - p33
Nicole Rusk
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.237
After constructing a synthetic genome, the challenge is to prove its functionality.
First Paragraph - | Full Text - Synthetic life | PDF (420 KB) - Synthetic life
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Imaging through automation - p34
Daniel Evanko
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.238
Automated imaging has the power to transform microscopy into a more quantitative technique with new capabilities.
First Paragraph - | Full Text - Imaging through automation | PDF (312 KB) - Imaging through automation
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Quantitative mass spectrometry - p34
Allison Doerr
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.239
Quantitative mass spectrometry–based proteomics is now being applied on a large scale to address interesting biological questions.
First Paragraph - | Full Text - Quantitative mass spectrometry | PDF (312 KB) - Quantitative mass spectrometry
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Membrane protein structures - p35
Allison Doerr
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.240
New methods addressing the challenges in membrane protein expression, solubilization and crystallization promise to yield many more atomic structures.
First Paragraph - | Full Text - Membrane protein structures | PDF (163 KB) - Membrane protein structures
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Optical imaging in thick samples - p35
Natalie de Souza
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.241
Optical methods to image deep into thick samples make it increasingly possible to watch biological processes in vivo.
First Paragraph - | Full Text - Optical imaging in thick samples | PDF (163 KB) - Optical imaging in thick samples
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Experimental micro-matchmaking - p36
Nicole Rusk
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.242
Although microRNA target predictions are continually improving, high-throughput validation of direct interaction is still needed.
First Paragraph - | Full Text - Experimental micro-matchmaking | PDF (182 KB) - Experimental micro-matchmaking
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Controlling cell function with light - p36
Daniel Evanko
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.243
The use of light for active cellular control rather than just passive observation continues to make headway.
First Paragraph - | Full Text - Controlling cell function with light | PDF (182 KB) - Controlling cell function with light