In a first proof-of-concept study, researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) have combined two microscopy methods that render both a cell’s surface and the distribution of a protein in the cell visible, at a resolution in the nanometre range. The method can be used for living cells. It might for example help analyse how cancer metastases are formed or assess the efficacy of specific drugs. The researchers from the nanoscopy workgroup at Rubion, the Central Unit for Ionbeams and Radionuclides at RUB, reported their findings in the renowned journal ACS Nano on May 23, 2018.