Confocal laser scanning microscopy: principles, arrangement, application (part 1)

The paper illustrates the current state of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The article includes historical information, the analysis of the principle of operation, some theoretical background, design features of confocal microscopes. The fairly detailed information on the application of CLSM in biology and medicine is given. The paper is presented in two parts. The first one is published in the present issue. The work is addressed to researchers, engineers, teachers, and students as an introduction to CLSM and as a guide in the related scientific literature.