The advanced light microscope is a highly sophisticated robotic tool which, when coupled with appropriate detectors and image processing, allows scientists to investigate the inner workings of biological systems from the single molecule, through cells, to the entire living organism. The last twenty-five years have brought significant growth in the utility of the microscope, especially given novel imaging tools (e.g., the computerized microscope and the confocal microscope), reagents (fluorescent proteins), and powerful computers that can process enormous quantities of data produced by these technologies. Today, the application of the light microscope is no longer a limited descriptive field but a battery of extremely complex, rich, and useful primary research tools. It is evident that the successful integration of these technologies is fundamental to bench biomedical research.

This book is intended to be a resource for those new to the use of the microscope as well as for seasoned investigators, exposing them to the wealth of opportunities to visualize the molecules and cellular processes they are studying. Because these are Current Protocols articles, they provide detailed step-by-step instructions for the various methods and applications, described and written at a level that lets every investigator employ even very sophisticated microscopy methods.

• For graduate students, postdocs, and individuals who are branching into new areas as an entry into the specialized techniques of microscopy
• A resource that encourages the use of the microscope beyond that of the simple light microscope
• An essential reference for core facilities at academic institutions
• An "instructional" text essential for each of these core resources