NEAR FIELD OPTICAL POINT MEASUREMENTS ON LIVING CELLS

一个原型生物近场显微镜目前正在使用中， 爱荷华州州立大学的实验在一个新的世界亚- 分子间相互作用的衍射极限光学测量 活细胞正在发生。 这方面的改进 已经确定了原型以生产商业产品。 的 第二阶段的目标是开发和商业化一个近- 场显微镜的生物研究市场。 X、Y、Z近场定位装置的研制 步进电机和压电装置，用于粗动和微调 分别满足近场定位要求 显微镜 采用面向对象软件的集成软件 程序将提供一个可视化的、鼠标驱动的点击控制 屏幕 结合这些改进将导致一个高度 可靠的交钥匙生物近场显微镜 拟定商业应用： 第二阶段的完成将产生一个商业近场显微镜 专为生物研究市场设计的产品。这款产品将 创造了一个价值数百万美元的利基市场。申请将 丰富。 近场显微镜是一种工具， 在许多新的研究领域，如监测， 活细胞中的分子相互作用。 光子的持续发展 密度反馈将提供额外的商业应用：1） 薄膜的分子研究2）自动电生理探针 放置3）UV光解和4）原子力显微镜。

A prototype biological near-field microscope is currently in use at the Iowa State University where experiments in a new world of sub- diffraction limited optical measurements of molecular interaction in living cells are now taking place. Areas of improvement to this prototype have been identified to produce a commercial product. The goal of this phase II proposal is to develop and commercialize a near- field microscope for the biological research market. Development of a X, Y, Z near-field positioning device which integrates stepper motors and piezo devices for course and fine movements respectively will meet the positioning requirements for near-field microscopy. Integrated software utilizing object oriented software programs will provide a visual, mouse driven point and click control screen. Incorporation of these improvements will result in a highly reliable turn-key biological near-field microscope. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: Completion of phase II will produce a commercial near-field microscope product designed for the biological research market. This product will create a multi-million dollar niche market. Applications will be abundant. The near-field microscope is the tool that will allow new discoveries in many new areas of investigations such as monitoring molecular interactions in living cells. Continued development of photon density feedback will provide additional commercial applications: 1) molecular studies of thin films 2) automated electrophysiology probe placement 3) uv photolysis and 4) atomic force microscopy.