Abstract

Although the genomes of many animals, from worms to humans, have been sequenced, much of the detailed molecular understanding of the biology of these genes and their proteins is unknown. One of the major problems is that we cannot currently see what a protein does, where it is, and how it moves. Thus, most functional conclusions about a protein are necessarily indirect. The visualization of the structure of DNA by Watson and Crick led a true understanding of the concept of genes, transcription, and translation. In recent years, the invention of new imaging technologies is having a profound impact on biological sciences. I will discuss how a revolution in optical and electron microscopy will provide the tools that can have a profound impact on biology, biomedicine and bioengineering.

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