(The FASEB Journal. 1999;13:S179.)
© 1999 FASEB
A Half-Century of Advances in Microscopy
Shinya Inoué,
George D. Pappas and
Robert B. Silver
ABSTRACT
From the first
known use of lenses for observing living organisms to the first
electron micrographs of the fine structure of cells, to our powerful,
contemporary approaches that reveal the dynamic interactions of
individual molecules, microscopy has played—and is playing—an
essential role in biology. This is particularly true today, where
powerful contemporary techniques enable us to reveal dynamic
interactions at the level of individual molecules. It is now
just over 50 years since the late Keith R. Porter published the first
electron micrographs of the fine structure of cells. Over the past
half-century, microscopy has been a seminal tool in providing
new insights into the relationship amongst structure and function of
cells. In contemporary studies, the use of microscopy has extended from
routine examinations to new methods of observation and manipulation of
cells and molecules once thought to be in the realm of
fancy. This meeting provided an overview of the
past and current uses of microscopy. It also served as an education to
future avenues of study of cell and molecular structure and function
into the next century. The scope of microscopy has extended enormously
since Dr. Porter’s early efforts. The international roster of
speakers (pictured above) provides us with but a vignette of the many
exciting fields and wonderful developments and the many pioneers at the
MBL and elsewhere around the world in this dynamic and continually
evolving discipline. We extend our thanks to the many individuals who
provided us with helpful suggestions, guidance and assistance in
organizing and conducting this meeting. The symposium
examined our use of microscopy in its many forms, sophisticated methods
for manipulation of cells and their components, and video and
computational imaging methods to glean deeper insights into the biology
of the cell. We welcome you to this supplement to The FASEB
Journal, which records the papers of the symposium.
