Imaging Seminar: Mapping cellular function with 3D single-molecule tracking and super-resolution microscopy
Event details
| Date | 25.06.2026 |
| Hour | 17:00 › 18:00 |
| Speaker | Anna-Karin Gustavsson |
| Location |
TBC
|
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
Registration
Abstract: Cellular function is governed by the molecular organization and interactions at the nanoscale. In this talk, I will present our recent advances in 3D single-molecule tracking of dynamics and super-resolution imaging of nanoscale structures throughout mammalian cells, and showcase applications of our approaches for cellular imaging. I will describe our developments of light sheet microscopy platforms that reduce fluorescence background, photobleaching, and the risk of photodamaging sensitive samples. Combined with point spread function (PSF) engineering for nanoscale localization of individual molecules in 3D, deep learning for analysis of overlapping emitters, and a novel 3D nanoprinted microfluidic chip for environmental control, these platforms enable whole-cell multi-target 3D single-molecule super-resolution imaging with improved accuracy, precision, and imaging speed. I will also highlight our recent developments and applications of dCas9-based labels that enable flexible, long-term tracking of endogenous, non-repetitive genomic loci in live human cells with excellent spatiotemporal resolution. Using this approach, we demonstrate correlative tracking of gene dynamics and transcription for improved understanding of gene regulation. I will further showcase studies of disease mechanisms and novel therapies for the premature aging disorder Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome. Together, these imaging technologies provide a versatile toolkit for quantitative studies of molecular dynamics, nanoscale structures, and molecular mechanisms, enabling new insights into a broad range of chemical, biological, and biomedical questions related to cellular function and pathogenesis.
Bio: Dr. Gustavsson joined the faculty at Rice University in 2020 as a CPRIT Scholar in Cancer Research and the Norman Hackerman-Welch Young Investigator Chair. At Rice, she founded and serves as Director of the Center for Nanoscale Imaging Sciences. Her research group strives to gain detailed information about cellular nanoscale structures, dynamics, and molecular mechanisms by designing and applying innovative and versatile optical imaging tools. Dr. Gustavsson received her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Her graduate work focused on studying rhythms and dynamic responses in single cells by combining and optimizing techniques such as fluorescence microscopy, optical tweezers, and microfluidics. Upon completion of her graduate work, Dr. Gustavsson joined the group of Nobel Laureate W. E. Moerner at Stanford University as a Postdoctoral Fellow. Her research focused on the development and application of 3D single-molecule super-resolution microscopy for cellular imaging and included the implementation of light sheet illumination for optical sectioning of mammalian cells. Her work has been recognized with multiple honors, awards, and fellowships, most notably the FEBS Journal Richard Perham Prize, the 3-year Swedish Research Council International Postdoctoral Fellowship, the PicoQuant Young Investigator Award, the NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, the CPRIT Recruitment of First-Time Tenure-Track Faculty Members Award, the Scialog: Advancing Bioimaging Fellowship, the Edward S. and Fofo Lewis Chemistry Research Award, the NIH Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA), and the NSF CAREER Award.
The seminar is followed by an aperitif.
Abstract: Cellular function is governed by the molecular organization and interactions at the nanoscale. In this talk, I will present our recent advances in 3D single-molecule tracking of dynamics and super-resolution imaging of nanoscale structures throughout mammalian cells, and showcase applications of our approaches for cellular imaging. I will describe our developments of light sheet microscopy platforms that reduce fluorescence background, photobleaching, and the risk of photodamaging sensitive samples. Combined with point spread function (PSF) engineering for nanoscale localization of individual molecules in 3D, deep learning for analysis of overlapping emitters, and a novel 3D nanoprinted microfluidic chip for environmental control, these platforms enable whole-cell multi-target 3D single-molecule super-resolution imaging with improved accuracy, precision, and imaging speed. I will also highlight our recent developments and applications of dCas9-based labels that enable flexible, long-term tracking of endogenous, non-repetitive genomic loci in live human cells with excellent spatiotemporal resolution. Using this approach, we demonstrate correlative tracking of gene dynamics and transcription for improved understanding of gene regulation. I will further showcase studies of disease mechanisms and novel therapies for the premature aging disorder Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome. Together, these imaging technologies provide a versatile toolkit for quantitative studies of molecular dynamics, nanoscale structures, and molecular mechanisms, enabling new insights into a broad range of chemical, biological, and biomedical questions related to cellular function and pathogenesis.
Bio: Dr. Gustavsson joined the faculty at Rice University in 2020 as a CPRIT Scholar in Cancer Research and the Norman Hackerman-Welch Young Investigator Chair. At Rice, she founded and serves as Director of the Center for Nanoscale Imaging Sciences. Her research group strives to gain detailed information about cellular nanoscale structures, dynamics, and molecular mechanisms by designing and applying innovative and versatile optical imaging tools. Dr. Gustavsson received her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Her graduate work focused on studying rhythms and dynamic responses in single cells by combining and optimizing techniques such as fluorescence microscopy, optical tweezers, and microfluidics. Upon completion of her graduate work, Dr. Gustavsson joined the group of Nobel Laureate W. E. Moerner at Stanford University as a Postdoctoral Fellow. Her research focused on the development and application of 3D single-molecule super-resolution microscopy for cellular imaging and included the implementation of light sheet illumination for optical sectioning of mammalian cells. Her work has been recognized with multiple honors, awards, and fellowships, most notably the FEBS Journal Richard Perham Prize, the 3-year Swedish Research Council International Postdoctoral Fellowship, the PicoQuant Young Investigator Award, the NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, the CPRIT Recruitment of First-Time Tenure-Track Faculty Members Award, the Scialog: Advancing Bioimaging Fellowship, the Edward S. and Fofo Lewis Chemistry Research Award, the NIH Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA), and the NSF CAREER Award.
The seminar is followed by an aperitif.
Links
Practical information
- Informed public
- Registration required