[13p-B1-1~13] English session: Joint symposium on Nanobiotechnology and Biosensing

▲ [13p-B1-2] Functional analysis of biomolecules using single-molecule imaging technique

〇Yoshie Harada¹ (1.iCeMS, Kyoto Univ.)

Keywords:single-molecule, fluorescence imaging

The best way to obtain unambiguous information about the function of biomolecules is to study their function at the single-molecule level. Imaging of individual molecules under an optical microscope is useful for understanding the working principle of biomolecular machines. We developed a single-molecule fluorescence imaging technique using total internal reflection fluorescence microscope in 1995. We can observe single fluorescence labeled biomolecules now. However there are some limitations and problems. For a high background noise, it is very difficult to visualize single fluorescence labeled biomolecules in the presence of fluorescence molecules more than 50nM. Photobleaching and blinking disturb imaging of molecules for a long time. In addition, it is difficult to select probe signal from auto fluorescence in cell and in vivo measurements. Therefore we are developing new single-molecule fluorescence imaging techniques. One is zero-mode waveguides (ZMWs) and the other is a new technique using nanodiamonds. I will show you those techniques and examples of functional analysis of biomolecules using those techniques.