FLIM is a versatile tool with various applications in histology:
1. Metabolic Imaging: By measuring the lifetimes of endogenous fluorophores like NADH and FAD, FLIM can provide insights into cellular metabolic states, distinguishing between glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation pathways. 2. Protein-Protein Interactions: FLIM-FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer) can be used to study interactions between proteins within cells, revealing information about signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms. 3. Disease Diagnosis: Changes in fluorescence lifetime can be indicative of pathological alterations in tissues, such as cancerous transformations or neurodegenerative diseases. 4. Drug Screening: FLIM can be employed to monitor the effects of pharmaceutical compounds on cellular processes in tissue samples, aiding in drug discovery and development.
