Video of Molecules Moving in Living Cells

A new microscopic imaging technique has provided what may be the most realistic real-time video yet of molecules moving in living cells.

Called Stimulated Raman Scattering, it uses laser beams to hit molecules, causing them to vibrate. Tracking the vibrations produces a sequence of point-by-point molecular maps.

Examples of practical applications include companies making skin care products who can use the SRS technique to see how different ingredients of their formulations distribute and diffuse in skin, or the food industry mapping distributions of fats, proteins and sugars in food products. It will eventually be used for tumor diagnostics in hospital as well.

The video shows fat molecules (bright yellow perimeter) at different depths in mouse skin.

Original article here.