Practice question

Structured Illumination Microscopy enhances resolution by projecting patterned light onto sample, generating Moiré fringes where illumination and specimen spatial frequencies interfere. These interference patterns encode high-frequency structural information normally beyond diffraction limit into detectable low-frequency moiré. Multiple images acquired with shifted and rotated gratings are mathematically reconstructed to double lateral resolution to ~100 nm and improve axial resolution. SIM requires only conventional fluorophores, low laser power, and works with live cells, making it valuable for observing chromosomes, cytoskeleton, and membrane organelles without specialized probes or extensive phototoxicity.