Probing molecular processes in live cells by quantitative multidimensionalmicroscopy

Modern light microscopy has become a most powerful analytical tool for stud ying molecular processes in live cells. Recent advances in sample preparati on, microscope design and image processing allow the generation of 'multidi mensional' data, simultaneously reporting the three-dimensional distributio n and concentrations of several different molecules within cells and tissue s at multiple time points with sub-micron spatial resolution and sub-second temporal resolution. Thus, molecular interactions and processes that were approached by biochemical analyses in vitro can now be directly monitored i n live cells. Here, we address different aspects of multidimensional micros copy and, in particular, image quantification and the characterization of m olecular dynamics, as applied to the study of cell adhesion.