Abstract

We have developed and patented (1) a technique, Spectral Self-interference Fluorescence Microscopy (SSFM), to determine the location of fluorescent molecules above a reflecting surface with nanometer precision. The method utilizes the spectral fringes produced by interference of direct and reflected emission from fluorescent molecules. The modified spectrum provides a unique signature of the axial position of the fluorophores. We have used the SSFM technique to determine the position of fluorescent markers attached to sub-cellular structures such as lipid bilayer membranes and DNA strands revealing conformational information. Using this technique we have estimated the height of single strand DNA, tilt angle of double strand DNA and amount of hybridization. With the patented SSFM technology, DNA hybridization and DNA-protein interactions can be studied in more detail in many areas such as molecular biological research as well as medical diagnostics, particularly cancer, genetic and infectious diseases. It is promising to be a valuable tool and have an impact in the growing DNA chip industry that utilize microarrays of DNA immobilized on surfaces.

Notes

Poster presented at the Thrust R1A Nonlinear and Dual Waves Probes Conference

Keywords

DNA, Optical Interference Techniques, SSFM

Subject Categories

Fluorescence microscopy, Diagnostic imaging

Disciplines

Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering

Publisher

Bernard M. Gordon Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems (Gordon-CenSSIS)

Publication Date

2006

Rights Holder

Bernard M. Gordon Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems (Gordon-CenSSIS)


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