Biotechnology Applications of Microinjection, Microscopic Imaging, and Fluorescence

Book excerpt: Individual cells behave in surpnsmg ways that cannot be deduced from the averaged results of an organ as assessed by the use of conventional biochemical methods. Thus multicellular plant and animals systems are being investigated by an increasing array of histochemical and cytochemical techniques based on general chemical or specific immunological interactions to identify structural materials and to assess biological activities. In recent years there has been an increasing range of fluorescent probes, along with advanced computerised imaging and analysis techniques, which allows the behaviour of individual living cells to be followed in considerable detail. The parallel use of microinjection, microelectrodes and patch-clamping provides additional information about cells and their responses. Recombinant DNA technology has highlighted the desirability and the power of microinjecting defined materials into specific cells and so manipulating their fundamental biochemistry. New hypotheses are being tested which will form the cornerstone of future developments across the whole spectrum of biotechnology. The First European Workshop on Biotechnology Applications of Microinjection, Microscopic Imaging and Fluorescence was run at the University of East London, U.K, 21st-24th April, 1992 with the objective of bringing together a diverse group of individuals who were using these state-of-the-art applications for biotechnological exploration. A novel feature of the meeting was paiticipation by instrument manufacturers in the programme: there were hands-on workshops (where living cells could be examined), combined with the poster sessions.