Femtogram Near-field Infrared Spectrometer for Biological Systems

用于生物系统的飞克近场红外光谱仪

• 批准号: 9987157
• 负责人: Shyamsunder Erramilli
• 金额: $ 59.6万
• 依托单位: Trustees of Boston University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2000
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2000-07-01 至 2003-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9987157&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Femtogram; Near; field; Infrared; Spectrometer

ABSTRACT9987157Shyamsunder ErramilliBoston UniversityFemtogram Near-field Infrared Spectrometer for Biological Systems Biological molecules like proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids can be studied using infrared spectroscopy. The peaks in an infrared spectrum are caused by the chemical structure of the molecules themselves. The nature of the chemical groups in a molecule can often be recognized by its infrared spectrum. That spectrum can also serve as a fingerprint. Infrared microspectroscopy combines infrared spectroscopy with high-resolution imaging. Because the technique uses an intrinsic property of the molecules, it is possible to get contrast in images without using radioactive or fluorescent labels. One traditional shortcoming of infrared microscopy is that the spatial resolution is poor, due to the longer wavelengths involved (compared to visible light). The use of near-field techniques makes it possible to overcome the diffraction limit and permits the study of sub-micron size samples in water. With support from the National Science Foundation, a table-top imaging spectrometer capable of acquiring the infrared spectrum of an aqueous biological sample is being developed. The spectrometer will be built along the same general principles as an atomic force microscope. To this basic design a tunable infrared laser and infrared collecting optics will be added. The resulting microscope will be unique in that it allows for infrared imaging under water. Once it is complete, single living cells will be examined using infrared radiation. Development of the infrared spectrometer will provide a new window to study single living cells without requiring the use of either radioactive or fluorescent stains. Radioactive labeling is very sensitive, but the samples have to be handled and disposed of carefully, in order to avoid environmental problems. Many fluorescent labels are carcinogenic, and may perturb the cells that are being stained. In addition to allowing the imaging of single living cells, the near-field infrared spectrometer has the potential to identify the type of bacteria from its characteristic infrared signature. If this application is successful, the instrument would provide a convenient method to detect pathogenic bacteria.

Shyamsunder Erramilli波士顿大学用于生物系统的飞秒近场红外光谱仪 生物分子，如蛋白质，核酸和脂质可以使用红外光谱法进行研究。 红外光谱中的峰是由分子本身的化学结构引起的。 分子中化学基团的性质通常可以通过其红外光谱来识别。 该光谱也可以用作指纹。 红外显微光谱学将红外光谱学与高分辨率成像相结合。 由于该技术利用了分子的固有特性，因此可以在不使用放射性或荧光标记的情况下获得图像的对比度。 红外显微镜的一个传统缺点是空间分辨率差，这是由于所涉及的波长较长（与可见光相比）。 近场技术的使用使得有可能克服衍射极限，并允许在水中的亚微米尺寸的样品的研究。 在国家科学基金会的支持下，正在开发一种能够获取含水生物样品红外光谱的台式成像光谱仪。 光谱仪将沿着与原子力显微镜相同的一般原理建造。 在这个基础设计中，将增加一个可调谐红外激光器和红外收集光学器件。 由此产生的显微镜将是独一无二的，因为它允许在水下进行红外成像。 一旦完成，将使用红外辐射检查单个活细胞。 红外光谱仪的发展将为研究单个活细胞提供一个新的窗口，而不需要使用放射性或荧光染料。放射性标记非常敏感，但必须小心处理和处置样品，以避免环境问题。 许多荧光标记物是致癌的，并且可能干扰被染色的细胞。 除了允许单个活细胞成像外，近场红外光谱仪还具有从其特征红外特征识别细菌类型的潜力。 如果这一应用是成功的，该仪器将提供一个方便的方法来检测病原菌。