The use of fluorescence microscopy has been foundational to advancement of our understanding of cell biology. These approaches collectively rely on specific labeling of molecules with fluorescent dyes to support imaging that allows resolution of localization within cells and its internal structures. This is significantly impacted by fluorescence signal detection, and limited by photobleaching and phototoxicity. In collaboration with Dr. Stefania Impellizzeri and Dr. Roberto Botelho, we are developing new approaches using silver nanoparticles and metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) to enhance fluorescent dye signal and reduce phototoxicity and photobleaching (Soha et al. MBoC 2023).