Best practices and tools for reporting reproducible fluorescence microscopy methods

Nat Methods. 2021 Dec;18(12):1463-1476. doi: 10.1038/s41592-021-01156-w. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Abstract

Although fluorescence microscopy is ubiquitous in biomedical research, microscopy methods reporting is inconsistent and perhaps undervalued. We emphasize the importance of appropriate microscopy methods reporting and seek to educate researchers about how microscopy metadata impact data interpretation. We provide comprehensive guidelines and resources to enable accurate reporting for the most common fluorescence light microscopy modalities. We aim to improve microscopy reporting, thus improving the quality, rigor and reproducibility of image-based science.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Research / methods*
  • Biomedical Research / standards*
  • Convallaria
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / standards*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Research Design
  • Signal-To-Noise Ratio
  • Software

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins