Abstract
The study of single fluorescent molecules allows individual measurements which can reveal characteristics typically obscured by ensemble averages. Yet, single molecule spectroscopy through traditional optical techniques is hindered by the diffraction limit of light. This restricts the accessible concentrations for single molecule experiments to the nano- to picomolar range. Zero-mode waveguides (ZMWs), optical nanostructures fabricated in a thin aluminum film, confine the observation volume to the range of atto- to zeptoliters. Thus, they extend the accessible concentrations for single molecule spectroscopy to the micro- to millimolar regime. Through the combination of ZMWs and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, a number of biologically relevant systems have been studied at physiological concentrations. In this review, the concept and implementation of ZMWs is outlined, along with their application to the study of freely diffusing, and membrane-bound fluorescent biomolecules.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 11-17 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Methods |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2008 |
Keywords
- Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy
- Nanostructures
- Single molecule
- Sub-wavelength apertures
- Zero-mode waveguides
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology