Super-resolution microscopy to decipher multi-molecular assemblies

Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy (SRM) is increasingly being applied as a complementary method to resolve the organization of large biomolecular assemblies. One of its main advantages is that it provides information on protein organization and identity simultaneously, within the native cellular milieu. It also extends the accessible range of structures up to the micrometer scale, offering complementary information relative to classical structural biology methods. Furthermore, SRM is capable of resolving the organization of some biomolecular assemblies not accessible to other methods. We highlight these advantages within the context of deciphering the structure of the centrosome and chromatin, and discuss how computational data post-processing has been adapted for SRM data. We also outline current limitations and potential approaches to overcome them.