Exploring Living Cells and Molecular Dynamics with Polarized Light Microscopy

Abstract

Here, I would like to discuss the reasons, and methods, for using polarized light microscopy for studying the organization, and function, of living cells. In illustrating these points, I will be relying on some biological examples that I am particularly familiar with, namely, those related to the events of mitosis and cell division, which represent some of the more fundamental and critical events in the life of all living organisms.

Now, why should we be interested in polarized light microscopy for the study of living cells? What is special about living cells and why is polarization microscopy particularly useful for their studies?