{"id":6661,"date":"2024-07-10T13:44:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-10T13:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/?p=6661"},"modified":"2026-01-20T13:44:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T13:44:59","slug":"cell-imaging-techniques-types-analysis-applications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/cell-imaging-techniques-types-analysis-applications\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Cell Imaging Techniques &#8211; Types, Analysis, and Applications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Understanding cellular functions like migration, morphology, and physiological changes in healthy and diseased cells is important for grasping biological processes and using them to optimize the creation of biological therapeutics. Live-cell imaging provides an instant picture of a cell, tissue, or organism\u2019s current state, as close to in vivo as possible, without introducing artifacts seen with fixed cells.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cell imaging is a&nbsp;noninvasive&nbsp;way of tracking health-related attributes and disease-related abnormalities in cancer and other disorders. Cell imaging presents&nbsp;important information&nbsp;about the&nbsp;etiology, progression, and&nbsp;ultimate fate&nbsp;of diseases. Imaging can automatically quantify the properties of cells, and profile phenotypic changes that can occur during disease, growth, and genetic modification of cells. Live imaging is crucial for understanding cellular functions and processes because it allows the&nbsp;accurate, and often real-time, reconstruction of cellular events. It is an advanced over-fixed cell observation that only provides a single point in time and not the entire process a cell goes through. However, it is also necessary that live cell imaging techniques provide 100% penetration. Missing a step or process can mean overlooking a key event in healthy or diseased cells.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"903\" height=\"507\" src=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/image-8.png\" alt=\"Two scientists discussing in the lab with cell imaging on the monitor\" class=\"wp-image-6664\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/image-8.png 903w, https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/image-8-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/image-8-768x431.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 903px) 100vw, 903px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6661_5e7507-62 .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6661_5e7507-62 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-6661_5e7507-62\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_6528b4-7e, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_6528b4-7e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_6528b4-7e\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_6528b4-7e mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_6528b4-7e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_6528b4-7e\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_6528b4-7e img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_6528b4-7e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_6528b4-7e\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading6661_6528b4-7e wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_6528b4-7e\">Types of Cell Imaging Techniques&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_195f7b-51, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_195f7b-51[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_195f7b-51\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_195f7b-51 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_195f7b-51[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_195f7b-51\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_195f7b-51 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_195f7b-51[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_195f7b-51\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading6661_195f7b-51 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_195f7b-51\"><strong>Light Microscopy<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Brightfield Microscopy<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 The most traditional (and oldest) form of microscopy, this technique&nbsp;remains&nbsp;valuable for conducting label-free cellular assays to look at cell number, proliferation, health, confluence, and cytotoxicity.\u202f Based on changes in light absorption, refractive index, or&nbsp;color&nbsp;to generate contrast, this technique&nbsp;remains&nbsp;a&nbsp;favorite&nbsp;optical microscopy technique. As light passes through a cell (or tissue or organism),\u202fregions altering light wave direction, speed, or spectrum generate contrasts\u202fwhen light rays are gathered and focused.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Phase Contrast Microscopy\u202f<\/strong>\u2014 This technique translates tiny variations in phase into corresponding changes in light amplitude, which are then visualized as differences in contrast in the image. A specialized condenser with annuli matches a set of&nbsp;objectives&nbsp;containing rings in the back focal plane. This technique can increase contrast when imaging living cells in culture. However, it can also produce excessive halos on the outlines of edges, reducing the visibility of boundary details.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) Microscopy<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 With this technique, plane-polarized light, and light-shearing prisms exaggerate tiny differences in specimen thicknesses and their refractive indexes. This enables better images of cellular lipid bilayers because of refractive differences between aqueous and lipid parts of the cell.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_b9c8a3-dc, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_b9c8a3-dc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_b9c8a3-dc\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_b9c8a3-dc mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_b9c8a3-dc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_b9c8a3-dc\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_b9c8a3-dc img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_b9c8a3-dc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_b9c8a3-dc\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading6661_b9c8a3-dc wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_b9c8a3-dc\"><strong>Fluorescence Microscopy<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Basic Fluorescence Microscopy<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 This still involves an optical microscope, but one that uses fluorescence instead of scattered or reflected light to&nbsp;observe&nbsp;cell structure and functions. With this technique, a shorter wavelength of light excites a fluorophore, which then emits light at a longer wavelength. This light is detected by the microscope.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>FMM\/BMI\/SIMI\u202f<\/strong>\u2014\u202f The\u00a0backbone of the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/nextgen\/global\/products\/particle-analyzers.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u202fAura system of\u00a0analyzers,<\/a>\u202fthis technology combines the effects of existing light and fluorescence microscopy.\u202f Backgrounded membrane imaging (BMI)\u202fis a high-contrast imaging technique involving the use of a high-contrast membrane that develops clear pictures of particles in a sample. It only requires 5 \u00b5l of sample and can deliver results in one minute.\u202fFluorescence membrane microscopy (FMM)\u202flabels particles using specific fluorescent dyes or antibodies, resulting in simple and definitive identification. SIMI, or\u202fside illumination membrane imaging, works with BMI and FMM by detecting light scattering, specifically high refractive index particles, including those protruding out of the membrane surface. Particles that scatter light with SIMI\u00a0indicate\u00a0inorganic matter protruding out of the membrane such as glass or plastic. Particles that absorb light are indicative of metallic particles, such as residual\u202fDynabeads<sup>TM<\/sup>, and absorbing oils that also protrude from the membrane.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"903\" height=\"645\" src=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/image-9.png\" alt=\"Advanced particle analysis is possible with the combination of BMI, SIMI, and FMM (Thioflavin T &amp; DAPI) tools. \" class=\"wp-image-6665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/image-9.png 903w, https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/image-9-300x214.png 300w, https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/image-9-768x549.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 903px) 100vw, 903px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Advanced particle analysis is possible with the combination of BMI, SIMI, and FMM (Thioflavin T &amp; DAPI) tools.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Confocal Microscopy\u202f<\/strong>\u2014 A type of fluorescence microscopy that uses certain optical components to generate high-resolution images of material stained with fluorescent probes. This method&nbsp;is capable of generating&nbsp;sharp, three-dimensional images. It uses a spatial pinhole to block out-of-focus light in image formation.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Two-Photon Microscopy<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 Also called 2PEF or&nbsp;TPEF,\u202f this&nbsp;type of microscopy is a little different from standard fluorescence microscopy because it is based on simultaneous excitation by two photons with longer wavelengths than the emitted light. The laser focuses on a specific location in the tissue and scans across the sample to sequentially produce the image. This technique is useful for tissue up to 1 mm thick.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_4a457d-52, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_4a457d-52[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_4a457d-52\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_4a457d-52 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_4a457d-52[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_4a457d-52\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_4a457d-52 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_4a457d-52[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_4a457d-52\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading6661_4a457d-52 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_4a457d-52\">Advanced Techniques<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Super-resolution (STED, PALM, STORM)<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 This technique generates images of much higher resolution than light microscopy, which is limited to about 200 nm. Stimulated emission depletion (STED), stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), and photoactivation localization microscopy (PALM) can provide resolutions about 20 times greater than light microscopes.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRM)<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 This method tracks and detects objects by using light scattered from an oscillating wave field near a dielectric interface. It has a high signal-to-noise ratio and a high vertical spatial resolution.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Electron Microscopy<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 These microscopes focus beams of electrons instead of photons to produce an image of a specimen. They are regarded as higher resolution and as having greater magnification than light-based microscopes.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 Used to image the smallest structures in matter, TEM uses a beam of electrons that are transmitted through a specimen, revealing the internal organization and composition of a tissue, cell, or other material.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 Like other electron microscopy methods, SEM uses beams of electrons, but SEM looks at the surface and composition of a sample, rather than internally.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_9166f6-38, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_9166f6-38[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_9166f6-38\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_9166f6-38 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_9166f6-38[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_9166f6-38\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_9166f6-38 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_9166f6-38[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_9166f6-38\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading6661_9166f6-38 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_9166f6-38\">Other Imaging Techniques<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 This technique can develop nanoscale images of the surfaces of biological materials in their native environment. With this technique, a mechanical probe uses electric forces to generate tiny but&nbsp;accurate&nbsp;and precise movements on (electronic) commands for precise scanning.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High-Content Screening<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 This encompasses several assays, often using fluorescent dyes, to visualize cells and&nbsp;determine&nbsp;functions and operations within cells. The resolution of high-content microscopy techniques has surpassed that of traditional microscopy, and these techniques incorporate automated imaging and analysis for large-scale studies of cells.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6661_82d451-63 .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6661_82d451-63 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-6661_82d451-63\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_6e5d63-ee, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_6e5d63-ee[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_6e5d63-ee\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_6e5d63-ee mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_6e5d63-ee[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_6e5d63-ee\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_6e5d63-ee img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_6e5d63-ee[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_6e5d63-ee\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading6661_6e5d63-ee wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_6e5d63-ee\">Cell Imaging Data Analysis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Image Processing<\/strong>\u202f- There are several techniques available for enhancing image quality and clarity. In addition, scientific organizations have developed checklists for publishing high-quality, clear microscopic images. First, in what may seem an obvious step, be sure that your microscope is properly aligned\u2014condenser and lens\u2014and use the correct diaphragm setting (for light microscopy). Guidelines are also available for other methods, such as fluorescence microscopy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Christian Tischer, a team leader in the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Data Science Centre, emphasized that \u201cfor microscopy-based research, this ranges from issues like the legibility of image data in publication figures, providing scale information, and a responsible choice of contrast adjustments, to sharing image data on public archives and making accessible the analysis pipeline on cloud computing platforms.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/nextgen\/global\/products\/particle-analyzers.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Aura system of particle&nbsp;analyzers<\/a>\u202fcombine light (i.e., brightfield) and fluorescence technologies to create higher sensitive assays with higher resolution images. The system also includes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/nextgen\/global\/products\/informatics-and-software\/particle-vue-software.html\">Particle Vue analytical programs<\/a> that help improve images and provide quantitative, workable data.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Quantitative Analysis<\/strong>\u202f- Images&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;serve much of a purpose if quantitative data&nbsp;can\u2019t&nbsp;be extracted from them. Several tools can count cells and particles in a sample, assess cytotoxicity with live\/dead assays, measure autophagy,&nbsp;determine&nbsp;cell phenotypes such as cell shape, size, and structure,&nbsp;locate&nbsp;specific molecules in cells, and&nbsp;analyze&nbsp;dynamic processes over time.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6661_f4f966-f8 .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6661_f4f966-f8 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-6661_f4f966-f8\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_23a13b-6b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_23a13b-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_23a13b-6b\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_23a13b-6b mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_23a13b-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_23a13b-6b\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_23a13b-6b img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_23a13b-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_23a13b-6b\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading6661_23a13b-6b wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_23a13b-6b\">Data Interpretation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Morphological Analysis<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 Determining the size, shape, and structure of cells and other particles and components in culture can help evaluate the effectiveness of treatment candidates, as well as illustrate changes that occur due to disease.\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/nextgen\/global\/products\/particle-analyzers.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/nextgen\/global\/products\/particle-analyzers.html\">The Aura family of&nbsp;analyzers<\/a>\u202fand <a href=\"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/nextgen\/global\/products\/informatics-and-software\/particle-vue-software.html\">Particle Vue analytical software <\/a>can accurately&nbsp;determine&nbsp;morphology and changes that occur in healthy and diseased cells and in reactions to drug treatments. A common method to&nbsp;determine&nbsp;viable&nbsp;vs. non-viable cells is staining the cells with DAPI and using FMM on Aura to&nbsp;determine&nbsp;the population of cell conditions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Molecular Localization<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 Pinpointing the exact location of specific molecules within cells can help&nbsp;determine&nbsp;their role in health, disease, and reactions to treatments. These techniques, such as Single Particle Tracking (SPT) and Single Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM), can&nbsp;identify&nbsp;molecules on a nanoscale, and&nbsp;determine&nbsp;the positions and movement of proteins and other important molecules within a cell.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Time-Lapse Imaging<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 Monitoring cellular responses over&nbsp;a period of time&nbsp;can help&nbsp;determine&nbsp;the right time to read endpoint assays, characterize cellular kinetics of multiple reactions at once, and track real-time effects of treatments on cells. Automated time-lapse imaging can dramatically reduce analysis times, as well.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_ecaabf-59, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_ecaabf-59[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_ecaabf-59\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_ecaabf-59 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_ecaabf-59[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_ecaabf-59\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_ecaabf-59 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_ecaabf-59[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_ecaabf-59\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading6661_ecaabf-59 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_ecaabf-59\">Advanced Analytical Techniques<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3D Reconstruction<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 These techniques take imaging data and create three-dimensional models of cells and cellular components. 3D cell culture (or automated construction) provides more relevant physiology than traditional monolayer (2D) techniques.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM)<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 This advanced technique allows for simultaneous recording of the fluorescence lifetime and spatial location of fluorophores in an image. FLIM can help researchers investigate pH, ion concentrations, solvent polarity, non-covalent interactions, viscosity, and oxygen tension in live cells.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6661_f1d3f8-97 .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6661_f1d3f8-97 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-6661_f1d3f8-97\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_415dbe-64, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_415dbe-64[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_415dbe-64\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_415dbe-64 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_415dbe-64[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_415dbe-64\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_415dbe-64 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_415dbe-64[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_415dbe-64\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading6661_415dbe-64 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_415dbe-64\">Applications of Cell Imaging Techniques<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_fded65-7f, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_fded65-7f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_fded65-7f\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_fded65-7f mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_fded65-7f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_fded65-7f\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_fded65-7f img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_fded65-7f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_fded65-7f\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading6661_fded65-7f wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_fded65-7f\"><strong>Cell Biology Research&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Studying Cell Structure and Function<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 The structure of cellular organelles and membranes is key to understanding how cells develop and how genetic, physiological, and development processes occur. This can be important for basic comprehension of how cells work, but also how they behave in diseased states. Imaging can also help&nbsp;determine&nbsp;the function of these cellular structures. Cell imaging in time-lapse can illustrate what changes these structures go through (or activate) in development, health, disease, and death.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tracking Cellular Dynamics<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 Imaging techniques help researchers&nbsp;observe&nbsp;cell migration, division, and differentiation, all in real-time. Cellular processes span multiple time and length scales, including developmental processes and cancer metastasis. Different techniques can&nbsp;determine&nbsp;how these processes work, either in real-time, in three dimensions, or in cellular\/subcellular membranes.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_d7c565-be, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_d7c565-be[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_d7c565-be\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_d7c565-be mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_d7c565-be[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_d7c565-be\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_d7c565-be img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_d7c565-be[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_d7c565-be\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading6661_d7c565-be wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_d7c565-be\"><strong>Medical Research<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Disease Mechanisms<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 Cell imaging techniques provide a clearer picture of how diseases arise in a cell, take over cell function (in some instances), and&nbsp;ultimately can&nbsp;damage or kill a cell. Three-D microscopy is being studied for the possibility of seeing nerve cell changes during Alzheimer\u2019s or Parkinson\u2019s disease, while super-resolution microscopy is used to visualize and quantify platelet membrane proteins during immune responses. Other fluorescence techniques are being used to visualize how CAR T-cell therapies work and to better understand controlled cell death.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Drug Discovery and Development<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 Getting&nbsp;accurate&nbsp;and detailed images of cell structure and function in reaction to drug candidate molecules is a crucial part of discovering and developing new therapies and vaccines for disease. Techniques like the Aura system of particle&nbsp;analyzers&nbsp;can use FMM and BMI, combining light and fluorescent microscopic methods to&nbsp;determine&nbsp;how cells respond to drug candidates and what other molecular and structural factors may be interfering with that response.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_349861-ae, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_349861-ae[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_349861-ae\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_349861-ae mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_349861-ae[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_349861-ae\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_349861-ae img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_349861-ae[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_349861-ae\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading6661_349861-ae wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_349861-ae\"><strong>Genetic Research<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Gene Expression Studies<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 Matched with sophisticated genetics techniques such as next-generation sequencing, microscopy can&nbsp;identify&nbsp;the phenotype changes that occur with changes in genotype. Electron microscopy can&nbsp;identify&nbsp;specific proteins and other molecular changes, while light and fluorescence microscopic techniques can produce images of how cellular structures and functions change in reaction to genetic alterations. Advances in live-cell imaging allow for the visualization of gene expression and intracellular interactions, in real-time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>CRISPR and Genetic Engineering<\/strong>\u202f\u2014 CRISPR-Cas9 is a powerful and versatile gene-editing tool, but it also can be used to visualize DNA replication and mutations in live cells. The Cas9 protein,&nbsp;labeled&nbsp;with a fluorescent protein, can label a targeted locus and be visualized using microscopy. Other scientists are looking at how CRISPR can develop three-dimensional images of the genome and portraits of entire chromosomes. Likewise, molecular imaging in reporting and assessing the status of cell grafts \u2013 as well as their relation to the local microenvironment, cell replacements, and\/or gene replacements \u2013 makes cell imaging a promising way to&nbsp;determine&nbsp;the effects of genetic engineering techniques.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6661_8a2d1c-46 .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6661_8a2d1c-46 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-6661_8a2d1c-46\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_5a4df7-37, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_5a4df7-37[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_5a4df7-37\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_5a4df7-37 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_5a4df7-37[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_5a4df7-37\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_5a4df7-37 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_5a4df7-37[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_5a4df7-37\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading6661_5a4df7-37 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_5a4df7-37\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While imaging has made dramatic advances even in the last few decades,&nbsp;observing&nbsp;cells and subcellular processes at high resolution while&nbsp;maintaining&nbsp;environmental context still presents challenges, especially in a minimally invasive fashion. Cellular resolution, especially in context and in living organisms, still needs more development (several experimental projects are underway). Observing proteins in cells \u2013 including their structure, quantity, location within cells, and activity \u2013 can be done with electron microscopy but techniques that can see in real-time and that can see smaller molecules are needed. Data collection and analytics need more universal standards,\u202fand better global access to these technologies\u202fwill dramatically advance scientific research.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6661_31428e-8a .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-6661_31428e-8a .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-6661_31428e-8a\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_884b6b-18, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_884b6b-18[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_884b6b-18\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_884b6b-18 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_884b6b-18[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_884b6b-18\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_884b6b-18 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading6661_884b6b-18[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_884b6b-18\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading6661_884b6b-18 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading6661_884b6b-18\">References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41592-023-01987-9\">https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41592-023-01987-9<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41592-021-01156-w?fromPaywallRec=false\">https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41592-021-01156-w?fromPaywallRec=false<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/d42473-022-00356-y\">https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/d42473-022-00356-y<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Dynabeads<sup>TM<\/sup> are a trademark of Thermo Fisher Scientific.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understanding cellular functions like migration, morphology, and physiological changes in healthy and diseased cells is important for grasping biological processes and using them to optimize the creation of biological therapeutics. Live-cell imaging provides an instant picture of a cell, tissue, or organism\u2019s current state, as close to in vivo as possible, without introducing artifacts seen&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":6664,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_titles_title":"Exploring Cell Imaging Techniques %%sep%% %%sitetitle%%","_seopress_titles_desc":"Explore cell imaging technique types, analysis and applications, like light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, advanced techniques & data analysis.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"both","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":301,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"cell imaging,cell imaging techniques,cell imaging data analysis","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[],"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[228,1],"tags":[51,52,725,722],"class_list":["post-6661","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-biopharmaceutical","category-general","tag-biopharma","tag-biopharmaceutical","tag-cell-imaging","tag-particle-analysis"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":228,"label":"Biopharmaceutical"},{"value":1,"label":"General"}],"post_tag":[{"value":51,"label":"biopharma"},{"value":52,"label":"biopharmaceutical"},{"value":725,"label":"cell imaging"},{"value":722,"label":"particle analysis"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/image-8.png",903,507,false],"author_info":{"display_name":"Donald Mason","author_link":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/author\/dmason\/"},"comment_info":"","category_info":[{"term_id":228,"name":"Biopharmaceutical","slug":"biopharmaceutical","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":228,"taxonomy":"category","description":"We help ensure the medicines people take every day are reliably safe and effective, from the common aspirin to the most complex biotherapy. Tests performed using our liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) instruments ensure the efficacy and safety of these complex, protein-based drugs well before they reach the patient.","parent":25,"count":42,"filter":"raw","term_order":"0","cat_ID":228,"category_count":42,"category_description":"We help ensure the medicines people take every day are reliably safe and effective, from the common aspirin to the most complex biotherapy. Tests performed using our liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) instruments ensure the efficacy and safety of these complex, protein-based drugs well before they reach the patient.","cat_name":"Biopharmaceutical","category_nicename":"biopharmaceutical","category_parent":25},{"term_id":1,"name":"General","slug":"general","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":52,"filter":"raw","term_order":"0","cat_ID":1,"category_count":52,"category_description":"","cat_name":"General","category_nicename":"general","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":51,"name":"biopharma","slug":"biopharma","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":51,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":50,"filter":"raw","term_order":"0"},{"term_id":52,"name":"biopharmaceutical","slug":"biopharmaceutical","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":52,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":59,"filter":"raw","term_order":"0"},{"term_id":725,"name":"cell imaging","slug":"cell-imaging","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":725,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":1,"filter":"raw","term_order":"0"},{"term_id":722,"name":"particle analysis","slug":"particle-analysis","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":722,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":21,"filter":"raw","term_order":"0"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6661","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/60"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6661"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6661\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}