Nanoscale spatial induction of ultraviolet photoproducts in cellular DNA by three-photon near-infrared absorption.

ABSTRACT: The high-resolution spatial induction of ultraviolet (UV) photoproducts in mammalian cellular DNA is a goal of many scientists who study UV damage and repair. Here we describe how UV photoproducts can be induced in cellular DNA within nanometre dimensions by near-diffraction-limited 750 nm infrared laser radiation. The use of multiphoton excitation to induce highly localized DNA damage in an individual cell nucleus or mitochondrion will provide much greater resolution for studies of DNA repair dynamics and intracellular localization as well as intracellular signalling processes and cell-cell communication. The technique offers an advantage over the masking method for localized irradiation of cells, as the laser radiation can specifically target a single cell and subnuclear structures such

SUBMITTER: Meldrum RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1326420 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature