EMCCD Camera Upgrade to Provide Single Molecule Fluorescence Capability in Custom TIRF/AFM System

荧光显微镜技术的最新进展已经允许观察单分子荧光。一个关键的进步是电子倍增电荷耦合器件（EMCCD）的发展，它在光学显微镜中具有无与伦比的光检测灵敏度。我们请求资助将我们目前的相机升级为EMCCD和相关设备，用于我们定制的全内反射荧光/原子力显微镜系统。通过提供观察单分子荧光的能力，并将其与原子力显微镜的分子水平成像相结合，这一设备升级将在细菌细胞，纤维素酶促降解，生物分子扩散和肌动蛋白聚合等领域开辟全新的科学。它将促进生物物理学和生物物理学领域的多学科合作和学生的独特培训。因此，这项工作将产生新的知识，有助于开发新的抗菌化合物，提高纤维素乙醇生产效率，以及预防心脏病的新方法。

Recent advances in the technology of fluorescence microscopy have allowed the observation of single molecule fluorescence. A key advance has been the development of the electron-multiplying charge-coupled-device (EMCCD), which has unsurpassed sensitivity for the detection of light in optical microscopy. We request funding to upgrade our current camera to an EMCCD and associated equipment for use in our custom total internal reflection fluorescence/atomic force microscope system. By providing the ability to observe fluorescence from single molecules, and combining this with molecular level imaging with the atomic force microscope, this equipment upgrade will open up brand new science in the areas of bacterial cells, enzymatic degradation of cellulose, diffusion of biomolecules, and actin polymerization. It will foster multidisciplinary collaborations and unique training of students in the areas of biological physics and biophysics. As a result, this work will produce new knowledge that will aid in the development of new antimicrobial compounds, improvements in the efficiency of ethanol production from cellulose, and new approaches for the prevention of cardiac disease.