Expansion microscopy with conventional antibodies and fluorescent proteins

Expansion microscopy is a technique in which fluorophores on fixed specimens are linked to a swellable polymer that is physically expanded to enable super-resolution microscopy with ordinary microscopes. We have developed and characterized new methods for linking fluorophores to the polymer that now enable expansion microscopy with conventional fluorescently labeled antibodies and fluorescent proteins. Our methods simplify the procedure and expand the palette of compatible labels, allowing rapid dissemination of the technique.