Enhancing single-molecule fluorescence with nanophotonics

Guillermo Acuna; Dina Grohmann; Philip Tinnefeld

doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2014.06.016

Enhancing single-molecule fluorescence with nanophotonics

FEBS Lett. 2014 Oct 1;588(19):3547-52. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.06.016. Epub 2014 Jun 10.

Authors

Guillermo Acuna¹, Dina Grohmann², Philip Tinnefeld³

Affiliations

¹ NanoBioSciences Group, Institute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Hans-Sommer-Strasse 10, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany. Electronic address: g.acuna@tu-bs.de.
² NanoBioSciences Group, Institute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Hans-Sommer-Strasse 10, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany. Electronic address: d.grohmann@tu-bs.de.
³ NanoBioSciences Group, Institute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Hans-Sommer-Strasse 10, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany. Electronic address: p.tinnefeld@tu-braunschweig.de.

PMID: 24928436
DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.06.016

Abstract

Single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy has become an important research tool in the life sciences but a number of limitations hinder the widespread use as a standard technique. The limited dynamic concentration range is one of the major hurdles. Recent developments in the nanophotonic field promise to alleviate these restrictions to an extent that even low affinity biomolecular interactions can be studied. After motivating the need for nanophotonics we introduce the basic concepts of nanophotonic devices such as zero mode waveguides and nanoantennas. We highlight current applications and the future potential of nanophotonic approaches when combined with biological systems and single-molecule spectroscopy.

Keywords: Fluorescence enhancement; Nanophotonics; Plasmonics; Single molecule fluorescence.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Nanotechnology / methods*
Optical Phenomena*
Spectrometry, Fluorescence / methods*