Sub-wavelength localization of single molecules allows super-resolution imaging and a subtle probing of spatio temporal nano-environments [1]. Recently, we demonstrated that by using super-localization imaging of luminescent biocompatible single wall carbon nanotubes in the near-IR [2,3], we can unravel the local structure and rheology of the extracellular space in live brain slices. Because of the interplay between the nanotube geometry and the extracellular space local environment, we can indeed extract information about the extracellular space dimension and local viscosity [4]. In this presentation, I will show our recent results about the extracellular space properties near identified brain structures [5] (e.g synapses) and in neurodegenerative disease animal models [6].

References

[1] Godin et al , Biophys. J, (2014).

[2] Gao, et al, Biomater. Sci. (2016).

[3] Danné et al Nanomaterials (2017).

[4] Godin et al Nat. Nanotechnol. (2016).

[5] Paviolo et al

[6] Soria et al