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Detection of Single Quantum Dots in Model Systems with Sheet Illumination Microscopy

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Abstract

Single molecule detection and tracking provides at times the only possible method to observe the interactions of low numbers of biomolecules, inlcuding DNA, receptors and signal mediating proteins in living systems. However, most existing imaging methods do not enable both high sensitivity and non-invasive imaging of large specimens. In this study we report a new setup for selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM), which enables fast imaging and single molecule tracking with the resolution of confocal microscopy and the optical penetration beyond 300 μm. We detect and report our instrumental figures of merit, control values of fluorescence properties of single nano crystals in comparison to both standard widefield configurations, and also values of nanocrystals in multicellular “fruiting bodies” of Dictyostelium, an excellent control as a model developmental system. In the Dictyostelium , we also report some of our first tracking of single nanocrystals with SPIM. The new SPIM setup represents a new technique, which enables fast single molecule imaging and tracking in living systems.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Ernst Stelzer and Francesco Pampaloni for critical comments regarding the optical setup. This work was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG), grants FZ-82, GK1048, and GK1342.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Microscopy Group, Rudolf Virchow Center, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, D15, 97080, Würzburg, Germany

    Mike Friedrich, Revaz Nozadze, Sandra de Keijzer, Ralf Steinmeyer, Vladimir Ermolayev & Gregory S. Harms

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  1. Mike Friedrich
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  2. Revaz Nozadze
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  3. Sandra de Keijzer
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  4. Ralf Steinmeyer
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  5. Vladimir Ermolayev
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  6. Gregory S. Harms
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gregory S. Harms.

Additional information

Mike Friedrich, Revaz Nozadze and Sandra de Keijzer contributed equally to this article.

Gregory S. Harms is also located at Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18766, USA.

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Friedrich, M., Nozadze, R., de Keijzer, S. et al. Detection of Single Quantum Dots in Model Systems with Sheet Illumination Microscopy. J Fluoresc 28, 29–39 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-011-0966-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-011-0966-4

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