From Microscopy to Nanoscopy: Defining an Meiotic Atlas at the Nanometer Scale.

Visualization of meiotic chromosomes and the proteins involved in meiotic recombination have become essential to study meiosis in many systems including the model plant . Recent advances in super-resolution technologies changed how microscopic images are acquired and analyzed. New technologies enable observation of cells and nuclei at a nanometer scale and hold great promise to the field since they allow observing complex meiotic molecular processes with unprecedented detail. Here, we provide an overview of classical and advanced sample preparation and microscopy techniques with an updated meiotic atlas based on super-resolution microscopy. We review different techniques, focusing on stimulated emission depletion (STED) nanoscopy, to offer researchers guidance for selecting the optimal protocol and equipment to address their scientific question.