Spectroscopic photon localization microscopy for super-resolution molecular imaging

该项目将建立一个优化的成像系统，可以实现1纳米空间分辨率的三维成像，并将允许对DNA的光物理性质进行全面研究。这一进展将允许在自然条件下实现在活细胞中实现纳米级DNA成像，而不需要外部标记。PI积极参与了几个优秀的外展项目，包括芝加哥男孩女孩俱乐部、青年领导力特许学校和海报博览会，以促进当地高中生参加STEM项目？一项令人兴奋的新技术，光谱光子局部化显微镜(SPLM)，最近被PI和Co-PI发现，在低水平可见光激发下，本地DNA会发出荧光并闪烁。这项技术克服了传统超分辨率显微镜技术的局限性，为研究生物大分子(如蛋白质和DNA)打开了新的机会，而不需要在活细胞环境中进行标记。科学发现的潜力是巨大的，影响也是广泛的。

This project will establish an optimized imaging system that can achieve three dimensional imaging at 1-nm spatial resolution and will allow a comprehensive investigation of photophysical properties of DNA. This advance will allow the achievement of nanoscopic DNA imaging in living cells without extrinsic labeling under natural conditions. The PIs are actively involved in several excellent outreach programs, including the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, the Young Leadership Charter School, and the Poster Fair to promote local high school students to STEM programs?An exciting new technology, spectroscopic photon localization microscopy (SPLM), was recently discovered by the PI and Co-PI where native DNA fluoresces and blinks under low level visible light excitation. This technology overcomes the limitations in traditional super-resolution microscopy technologies and opens new opportunities for studying biological macromolecules (such as proteins and DNA) without the need for labeling in a live cell environment. The potential for scientific discovery is significant and the impact broad.