Synonyms
Definition
Zero-mode waveguides are photonic nanostructures that create highly confined optical observation volumes, thereby allowing single-molecule-resolved biophysical studies at relatively high concentrations of fluorescent molecules.
Basic Characteristics
Conventional single-molecule optical spectroscopy is characterized by observation volumes limited by the diffraction limit of light, on the order of ∼1 fl (10−15l). This restricts the upper concentration limit at which individual fluorescent molecules can be distinguished to the pico- to nanomolar range. However, most physiological processes, enzyme turnovers, and ligand interactions occur at higher concentrations of at least one participating biomolecule. Zero-mode waveguides (ZMWs) are nanostructures which drastically reduce the effective optical observation volume beyond the diffraction limit, thereby permitting the use of higher concentrations of fluorescently tagged molecules for...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Eid J, Fehr A, Gray J, Luong K, Lyle J, Otto G, Peluso P, Rank D, Baybayan P, Bettman B, Bibillo A, Bjornson K, Chaudhuri B, Christians F, Cicero R, Clark S, Dalal R, Dewinter A, Dixon J, Foquet M, Gaertner A, Hardenbol P, Heiner C, Hester K, Holden D, Kearns G, Kong X, Kuse R, Lacroix Y, Lin S, Lundquist P, Ma C, Marks P, Maxham M, Murphy D, Park I, Pham T, Phillips M, Roy J, Sebra R, Shen G, Sorenson J, Tomaney A, Travers K, Trulson M, Vieceli J, Wegener J, Wu D, Yang A, Zaccarin D, Zhao P, Zhong F, Korlach J, Turner S. Real-time DNA sequencing from single polymerase molecules. Science. 2009;323:133–8.
Foquet M, Samiee KT, Kong XX, Chauduri BP, Lundquist PM, Turner SW, Freudenthal J, Roitman DB. Improved fabrication of zero-mode waveguides for single-molecule detection. J Appl Phys. 2008;103:034301.
Fore S, Yuen Y, Hesselink L, Huser T. Pulsed-interleaved excitation FRET measurements on single duplex DNA molecules inside C-shaped nanoapertures. Nano Lett. 2007;7:1749–56.
Gerard D, Wenger J, Bonod N, Popov E, Rigneault H, Mahdavi F, Blair S, Dintinger J, Ebbesen TW. Nanoaperture-enhanced fluorescence: towards higher detection rates with plasmonic metals. Phys Rev B. 2008;77:045413.
Korlach J, Bjornson KP, Chaudhuri BP, Cicero RL, Flusberg BA, Gray JJ, Holden D, Saxena R, Wegener J, Turner SW. Real-time DNA sequencing from single polymerase molecules. Meth Enzymol. 2010;472:431–55.
Levene MJ, Korlach J, Turner SW, Foquet M, Craighead HG, Webb WW. Zero-mode waveguides for single-molecule analysis at high concentrations. Science. 2003;299:682–6.
Liao D, Galajda P, Riehn R, Ilic R, Puchalla JL, Yu HG, Craighead HG, Austin RH. Single molecule correlation spectroscopy in continuous flow mixers with zero-mode waveguides. Opt Express. 2008;16:10077–90.
Moran-Mirabal JM, Craighead HG. Zero-mode waveguides: sub-wavelength nanostructures for single molecule studies at high concentrations. Methods. 2008;46:11–7.
Rigneault H, Capoulade J, Dintinger J, Wenger J, Bonod N, Popov E, Ebbesen TW, Lenne P-F. Enhancement of single-molecule fluorescence detection in subwavelength apertures. Phys Rev Lett. 2005;95:117401.
Sameshima T, Iizuka R, Ueno T, Wada J, Aoki M, Shimamoto N, Ohdomari I, Tanii T, Funatsu T. Single-molecule study on the decay process of the football-shaped GroEL-GroES complex using zero-mode waveguides. J Biol Chem. 2010;285:23159–64.
Uemura S, Aitken CE, Korlach J, Flusberg BA, Turner SW, Puglisi JD. Real-time tRNA transit on single translating ribosomes at codon resolution. Nature. 2010;464:1012–7.
Wenger J, Lenne PF, Popov E, Rigneault H, Dintinger J, Ebbesen T. Single molecule fluorescence in rectangular nano-apertures. Opt Express. 2005;13:7035–44.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 European Biophysical Societies' Association (EBSA)
About this entry
Cite this entry
Korlach, J., Turner, S.W. (2013). Zero-Mode Waveguides. In: Roberts, G.C.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Biophysics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16712-6_499
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16712-6_499
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-16711-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-16712-6
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences