Fluorescence cameras for multispectral, single-molecule imaging

拟议的仪器（2台相机）将允许在申请人实验室的专用显微镜上进行多光谱和单分子荧光成像。显微镜的当前功能包括记录来自细胞或单个通道的离子通道电流的能力，同时具有高分辨率成像，以及收集来自明场样品或极强荧光的多光谱数据。这里所要求的照相机有两个项目：一个是现有多光谱系统的升级，它将允许从普通荧光样品进行多光谱成像;另一个是新的照相机，它将允许对单分子荧光进行低噪声、超灵敏的荧光检测。这些仪器将用于了解荧光半导体纳米颗粒（量子点）和活细胞之间相互作用的物理学;这种理解将使我们能够在纳米级上为细胞内过程制造生物传感器，以及靶向特定的细胞区域以提供治疗剂。

The proposed instrumentation (2 cameras) will permit multispectral and single-molecule fluorescence imaging on a specialized microscope present in the applicant's laboratory. Current functionalities of the microscope include the ability to record ion channel currents from cells or single channels, simultaneously with high-resolution imaging, and collection of multispectral data from brightfield samples or extremely intense fluorescence. The cameras requested here represent two items: an upgrade to the existing multispectral system that will permit multispectral imaging from ordinary fluorescent samples; and a new camera that will permit low-noise, ultrasensitive fluorescent detection of fluorescence from single molecules. These instruments will be used to understand the photophysics of the interactions between fluorescent semiconductor nanoparticles (quantum dots) and living cells; this understanding will allow us to make biosensors for intracellular processes at the nanoscale as well as to target specific cell areas for the delivery of therapeutic agents.