Zero-Mode Waveguide Nanowells for Single-Molecule Detection in Living Cells.

ABSTRACT: Single-molecule fluorescence imaging experiments generally require sub-nanomolar protein concentrations to isolate single protein molecules, which makes such experiments challenging in live cells due to high intracellular protein concentrations. Here, we show that single-molecule observations can be achieved in live cells through a drastic reduction in the observation volume using overmilled zero-mode waveguides (ZMWs- subwavelength-size holes in a metal film). Overmilling of the ZMW in a palladium film creates a nanowell of tunable size in the glass layer below the aperture, which cells can penetrate. We present a thorough theoretical and experimental characterization of the optical properties of these nanowells over a wide range of ZMW diameters and overmilling depths, showing an excelle

SUBMITTER: Yang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10604100 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature