Fluorescence cameras for multispectral, single-molecule imaging

拟议的仪器(2个照相机)将允许在申请人实验室中的专用显微镜上进行多光谱和单分子荧光成像。该显微镜目前的功能包括能够记录细胞或单通道的离子通道电流，同时进行高分辨率成像，并从Brightfield样品或极强的荧光中收集多光谱数据。这里要求的相机代表两个项目：对现有多光谱系统的升级，将允许从普通荧光样品进行多光谱成像；以及新相机，将允许低噪声、超灵敏的荧光检测来自单分子的荧光。这些仪器将被用来理解荧光半导体纳米颗粒(量子点)与活细胞之间相互作用的光物理；这种理解将使我们能够在纳米级制造细胞内过程的生物传感器，并针对特定的细胞区域输送治疗剂。

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.