The study of localization and molecular interactions of biologically active compounds in living cells and tissue slices by confocal spectral imaging technique

The confocal spectral imaging (CSI) technique is described, its basic princ iples are considered, and a brief review of its applications to the study o f biologically active compounds (BAC) within living cells and in tissue sli ces is presented. This technique is based on measurements and analysis of f luorescence or resonance Raman spectra in each point of the specimen under microscope with a three-dimensional resolution of about cubic micrometer. T his technique is applicable to the study of stained fluorescent and nonfluo rescent compounds. Unlike the conventional approaches based on the optical microscopy, the CSI technique opens the opportunity for the identification of complexes and microenvironment of BAC in intact cells and thin tissue sl ices (slices or sections), as well as for the analysis of localization and distribution of compounds of interest and their complexes in cellular organ elles and tissue structures. The use of CSI technique in combination with t he conventional biochemical and cytological methods makes it possible to si gnificantly expand the informativeness of investigation of modes of action of new BAC.