Deep learning-based spectroscopic single-molecule localization microscopy

Significance: Spectroscopic single-molecule localization microscopy (sSMLM) takes advantage of nanoscopy and spectroscopy, enabling sub-10 nm resolution as well as simultaneous multicolor imaging of multi-labeled samples. Reconstruction of raw sSMLM data using deep learning is a promising approach for visualizing the subcellular structures at the nanoscale. Aim: Develop a novel computational approach leveraging deep learning to reconstruct both label-free and fluorescence-labeled sSMLM imaging data. Approach: We developed a two-network-model based deep learning algorithm, termed DsSMLM, to reconstruct sSMLM data. The effectiveness of DsSMLM was assessed by conducting imaging experiments on diverse samples, including label-free single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) fiber, fluorescence-labeled histone markers on COS-7 and U2OS cells, and simultaneous multicolor imaging of synthetic DNA origami nanoruler. Results: For label-free imaging, a spatial resolution of 6.22 nm was achieved on ssDNA fiber; for fluorescence-labeled imaging, DsSMLM revealed the distribution of chromatin-rich and chromatin-poor regions defined by histone markers on the cell nucleus and also offered simultaneous multicolor imaging of nanoruler samples, distinguishing two dyes labeled in three emitting points with a separation distance of 40 nm. With DsSMLM, we observed enhanced spectral profiles with 8.8% higher localization detection for single-color imaging and up to 5.05% higher localization detection for simultaneous two-color imaging. Conclusions: We demonstrate the feasibility of deep learning-based reconstruction for sSMLM imaging applicable to label-free and fluorescence-labeled sSMLM imaging data. We anticipate our technique will be a valuable tool for high-quality superresolution imaging for a deeper understanding of DNA molecules’ photophysics and will facilitate the investigation of multiple nanoscopic cellular structures and their interactions.