Parallel fluorescence photon timing module with monolithic SPAD array detector
Author(s):
I. Rech;
A. Gulinatti;
C. Cammi;
A. Gallivanoni;
F. Panzeri;
M. Ghioni
Show Abstract
Over the past few years there has been a growing interest in monolithic arrays of single photon avalanche diodes
(SPAD) for time resolved detection of faint ultrafast optical signals. SPADs implemented in CMOS-compatible planar
technologies offer the typical advantages of microelectronic devices (small size, ruggedness, low voltage, low power,
etc.). Furthermore, they have inherently higher photon detection efficiency than PMTs and are able to provide, beside
sensitivities down to single-photons, very high acquisition speeds. They are in principle therefore ideal candidates for the
development of new parallel systems analysis. The birth of novel techniques and diagnostic instruments in fact has led
towards the parallelization of measurement systems and consequently to the development of monolithic arrays of
detectors. Unfortunately, the implementation of a multidimensional system is a challenging task, because optical and
electrical crosstalk between adjacent channels strongly affect the timing performances of the SPADs; for these reasons,
only a few number of commercial solutions are available and their performances are not comparable to the best single
channel ones. A new compact module based on a 8x1 high performance time resolved SPAD array with a new timing
approach is here presented.
Second harmonic generation of single metallic nanoparticles
Author(s):
J. Butet;
G. Bachelier;
J. Duboisset;
F. Bertorelle;
I. Russier-Antoine;
C. Jonin;
E. Benichou;
P. F. Brevet
Show Abstract
Single metallic nanoparticle sensitivity in liquid solution was achieved with hyper Rayleigh scattering (HRS). The study
of the HRS intensity fluctuations over time was performed for several dilutions of the nanoparticle solution. Histograms
of the HRS intensity counts were then obtained. These histograms exhibit a Gaussian profile down to low concentrations
before evolving towards Poisson distributions at very low concentrations, demonstrating that the single particle
sensitivity is obtained. Based on these results, we were then able to achieve the three-dimensional mapping of immobile
150 nm gold metallic nanoparticles dispersed in a homogeneous transparent polyacrylamide matrix. Polarization
resolved measurements were also performed allowing for a clear identification of the harmonic light generated by single
gold metallic nanoparticles.
Comparison of algorithms for the trapping of single molecules in an electrostatic corral
Author(s):
Jörg C. Woehl
Show Abstract
The corral trap is a novel tool for the solution-based trapping of single fluorescent molecules and other nanoparticles
with great potential for applications in ultrasensitive biomedical analysis at the single molecule level. This article
describes a general approach for automated trapping based on particle detection in two regions of interest close to the
corral trap: the doormat region, which triggers the "opening" of the corral trap, and the trigger region, which triggers the
"closing" of the trap. Three different algorithms for rapid particle detection in these two regions are presented, and their
execution time is evaluated for different experimental scenarios.
Time resolved 3D orientation spectroscopy: experimental realization and simulation
Author(s):
Richard Börner;
Danny Kowerko;
Christian von Borczyskowski;
Christian G. Hübner
Show Abstract
Confocal microscopy is a powerful tool for single molecule investigation of fluorescent macromolecules. Besides the
commonly studied features in single molecule detection, the 3D orientation determination of the emission dipole enables
the analysis of different conformational states. These conformational states can be represented as state depending dipole
orientations intrinsic to the fluorescent molecule and/or in relation to the molecular frame. They might be subject to
intramolecular dynamics, which may lead to spectral diffusion, fluorescence intensity and/or lifetime fluctuations and
changes in the orientation of the emission dipole. We demonstrate a detection scheme that allows for simultaneous
determination of the full 3D emission dipole orientation, the fluorescence intensity, the fluorescence lifetime and the
emission spectra of single fluorescent molecules. We evaluate the feasibility of our approach using pyridyl
functionalized perylene bisimide (PBI) as a model system exhibiting conformational changes. Moreover, MC
simulations demonstrate the full potential of our detection scheme to distinguish between intensity fluctuations due to
conformational changes and changes in the out-of-plane orientation or changes in both of them.
Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy as tool for high-content-screening in yeast (HCS-FCS)
Author(s):
Christopher Wood;
Joseph Huff;
Will Marshall;
Elden Qingfeng Yu;
Jay Unruh;
Brian Slaughter;
Winfried Wiegraebe
Show Abstract
To measure protein interactions, diffusion properties, and local concentrations in single cells, Fluorescence Correlation
Spectroscopy (FCS) is a well-established and widely accepted method. However, measurements can take a long time and
are laborious. Therefore investigations are typically limited to tens or a few hundred cells. We developed an automated
system to overcome these limitations and make FCS available for High Content Screening (HCS). We acquired data in
an auto-correlation screen of more than 4000 of the 6000 proteins of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, tagged with
eGFP and expanded the HCS to use cross-correlation between eGFP and mCherry tagged proteins to screen for
molecular interactions. We performed all high-content FCS screens (HCS-FCS) in a 96 well plate format. The system is
based on an extended Carl Zeiss fluorescence correlation spectrometer ConfoCor 3 attached to a confocal microscope
LSM 510. We developed image-processing software to control these hardware components. The confocal microscope
obtained overview images and we developed an algorithm to search for and detect single cells. At each cell, we
positioned a laser beam at a well-defined point and recorded the fluctuation signal. We used automatic scoring of the
signal for quality control. All data was stored and organized in a database based on the open source Open Microscopy
Environment (OME) platform. To analyze the data we used the image processing language IDL and the open source
statistical software package R.
Plasma membrane microorganization of LR73 multidrug-resistant cells revealed by FCS
Author(s):
Pascale Winckler;
Rodolphe Jaffiol;
Aurélie Cailler;
Hamid Morjani;
Pierre Jeannesson;
Régis Deturche
Show Abstract
Tumoral cells could present a multidrug resistance (MDR) to chemotherapeutic treatments. This drug resistance would
be associated to biomechanisms occurring at the plasma membrane level, involving modification of membrane fluidity,
drug permeability, presence of microdomains (rafts, caveolae...), and membrane proteins overexpression such as Pglycoprotein.
Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is the relevant method to investigate locally the fluidity of
biological membranes through the lateral diffusion of a fluorescent membrane probe. Thus, we use FCS to monitor the
plasma membrane local organization of LR73 carcinoma cells and three derived multidrug-resistant cancer cells lines.
Measurements were conducted at the single cell level, which enabled us to get a detailed overview of the plasma
membrane microviscosity distribution of each cell line studied. Moreover, we propose 2D diffusion simulation based on
a Monte Carlo model to investigate the membrane organisation in terms of microdomains. This simulation allows us to
relate the differences in the fluidity distributions with microorganization changes in plasma membrane of MDR cells.
Subunit rotation in a single FoF1-ATP synthase in a living bacterium monitored by FRET
Author(s):
K. Seyfert;
T. Oosaka;
H. Yaginuma;
S. Ernst;
H. Noji;
R. Iino;
M. Börsch
Show Abstract
FoF1-ATP synthase is the ubiquitous membrane-bound enzyme in mitochondria, chloroplasts and bacteria which
provides the 'chemical energy currency' adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for cellular processes. In Escherichia coli ATP
synthesis is driven by a proton motive force (PMF) comprising a proton concentration difference ΔpH plus an electric
potential ΔΨ across the lipid membrane. Single-molecule in vitro experiments have confirmed that proton-driven
subunit rotation within FoF1-ATP synthase is associated with ATP synthesis. Based on intramolecular distance
measurements by single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) the kinetics of subunit rotation and
the step sizes of the different rotor parts have been unraveled. However, these experiments were accomplished in the
presence of a PMF consisting of a maximum ΔpH ~ 4 and an unknown ΔΨ. In contrast, in living bacteria the maximum
ΔpH across the plasma membrane is likely 0.75, and ΔΨ has been measured between -80 and -140 mV. Thus the
problem of in vivo catalytic turnover rates, or the in vivo rotational speed in single FoF1-ATP synthases, respectively,
has to be solved. In addition, the absolute number of functional enzymes in a single bacterium required to maintain the
high ATP levels has to be determined. We report our progress of measuring subunit rotation in single FoF1-ATP synthases in vitro and in vivo, which was enabled by a new labeling approach for single-molecule FRET measurements.
Detection of pathogenic DNA at the single-molecule level
Author(s):
Idir Yahiatène;
Tobias Klamp;
Mark Schüttpelz;
Markus Sauer
Show Abstract
We demonstrate ultrasensitive detection of pathogenic DNA in a homogeneous assay at the single-molecule level
applying two-color coincidence analysis. The target molecule we quantify is a 100 nucleotide long synthetic single-stranded
oligonucleotide adapted from Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium causing lower respiratory tract
infections. Using spontaneous hybridization of two differently fluorescing Molecular Beacons we demonstrate
a detection sensitivity of 100 fM (10-13M) in 30 seconds applying a simple microfluidic device with a 100 μm
channel and confocal two-color fluorescence microscopy.
A reliable and sensitive bead-based fluorescence assay for identification of nucleic acid sequences
Author(s):
Tobias Klamp;
Idir Yahiatène;
André Lampe;
Mark Schüttpelz;
Markus Sauer
Show Abstract
The sensitive and rapid detection of pathogenic DNA is of tremendous importance in the field of diagnostics. We
demonstrate the ability of detecting and quantifying single- and double-stranded pathogenic DNA with picomolar
sensitivity in a bead-based fluorescence assay. Selecting appropriate capturing and detection sequences enables
rapid (2 h) and reliable DNA quantification. We show that synthetic sequences of S. pneumoniae and M. luteus can be quantified in very small sample volumes (20 μL) across a linear detection range over four orders of
magnitude from 1 nM to 1 pM, using a miniaturized wide-field fluorescence microscope without amplification
steps. The method offers single molecule detection sensitivity without using complex setups and thus volunteers
as simple, robust, and reliable method for the sensitive detection of DNA and RNA sequences.
A photophysical study of two fluorogen-activating proteins bound to their cognate fluorogens
Author(s):
Tiziano Gaiotto;
Hau B. Nguyen;
Jaemyeong Jung;
Gnana S. Gnanakaran;
Jurgen G. Schmidt;
Geoffrey S. Waldo;
Andrew M. Bradbury;
Peter M. Goodwin
Show Abstract
We are exploring the use of fluorogen-activating proteins (FAPs) as reporters for single-molecule imaging. FAPs are
single-chain antibodies selected to specifically bind small chromophoric molecules termed fluorogens. Upon binding to
its cognate FAP the fluorescence quantum yield of the fluorogen increases giving rise to a fluorescent complex. Based on
the seminal work of Szent-Gyorgyi et al. (Nature Biotechnology, Volume 26, Number 2, pp 235-240, 2008) we have
chosen to study two fluorogen-activating single-chain antibodies, HL1.0.1-TO1 and H6-MG, bound to their cognate
fluorogens, thiazole orange and malachite green derivatives, respectively. Here we use fluorescence correlation
spectroscopy to study the photophysics of these fluorescent complexes.
DOPI and PALM imaging of single carbohydrate binding modules bound to cellulose nanocrystals
Author(s):
D. J. Dagel;
Y.-S. Liu;
L. Zhong;
Y. Luo;
Y. Zeng;
M. Himmel;
S.-Y. Ding;
S. Smith
Show Abstract
We use single molecule imaging methods to study the binding characteristics of carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs)
to cellulose crystals. The CBMs are carbohydrate specific binding proteins, and a functional component of most cellulase
enzymes, which in turn hydrolyze cellulose, releasing simple sugars suitable for fermentation to biofuels. The CBM
plays the important role of locating the crystalline face of cellulose, a critical step in cellulase action. A biophysical
understanding of the CBM action aids in developing a mechanistic picture of the cellulase enzyme, important for
selection and potential modification. Towards this end, we have genetically modified cellulose-binding CBM derived
from bacterial source with green fluorescent protein (GFP), and photo-activated fluorescence protein PAmCherry tags,
respectively. Using the single molecule method known as Defocused Orientation and Position Imaging (DOPI), we
observe a preferred orientation of the CBM-GFP complex relative to the Valonia cellulose nanocrystals. Subsequent
analysis showed the CBMs bind to the opposite hydrophobic <110> faces of the cellulose nanocrystals with a welldefined
cross-orientation of about ~ 70°. Photo Activated Localization Microscopy (PALM) is used to localize CBMPAmCherry
with a localization accuracy of ~ 10nm. Analysis of the nearest neighbor distributions along and
perpendicular to the cellulose nanocrystal axes are consistent with single-file CBM binding along the fiber axis, and
microfibril bundles consisting of close packed ~ 20nm or smaller cellulose microfibrils.
Live cell single-molecule and superresolution imaging of proteins in bacteria
Author(s):
Julie S. Biteen;
W. E. Moerner
Show Abstract
By providing spatial localization on the nanometer scale, eliminating the need for ensemble averaging, and permitting
non-invasive intracellular investigations, single-molecule imaging has brought much insight to biophysics. A
particularly enticing application for single-molecule imaging is the capability to investigate live cells and to examine
structure and dynamics in the natural environment. To obtain true superresolution, control of the emission of the single
molecules provides a way to maintain a sparse concentration of emitters for any frame so that sequential imaging leads
to a final reconstruction with information beyond the optical diffraction limit. In this paper, we discuss several single-molecule-
based fluorescence methods that are possible, and indeed often enabled, by having live cell specimens.
Multi-color laser source for STED microscopy
Author(s):
Gregory L. Keaton;
Mark W. Byer;
Manuel J. Leonardo;
Manuel Martinez;
Kiyomi Monro
Show Abstract
We report on a pulsed laser source whose wavelength can be switched between 585 nm, 600 nm, and 616 nm. The
pulses are approximately 1 nsec long, the repetition rate is 20 MHz, and the pulse energies are 25 to 50 nJ. The laser
source uses a laser diode seed and a series of Yb-doped fiber amplifiers to generate pulsed light at 1060 nm. The
1060 nm light is Raman-shifted in ordinary undoped fiber, then converted to the visible using MgO-doped periodically
poled lithium niobate (PPLN). In general, the spectrum of such Raman-shifted light is too broad to be efficiently
frequency-converted by PPLN. To overcome this problem, we have used narrow band fiber Bragg gratings to create a
dual-wavelength fiber Raman laser. The 1060 nm light is first launched into a length of passive fiber, where the first
Raman wavelength is generated. This (broad spectrum) light then synchronously pumps the fiber Raman laser, which
supports the second and third Raman wavelengths simultaneously. Either of these wavelengths can be frequency
doubled, or the two can be frequency summed, to create any of three visible colors. The PPLN crystal accordingly has
three poling regions, and the color produced can be selected by indexing the crystal. The final output is suitable for high
speed STED microscopy.
Confocal imaging at the nanoscale with two-color STED microscopy
Author(s):
Hilmar Gugel;
Arnold Giske;
Marcus Dyba;
Jochen Sieber
Show Abstract
STED microscopy enables confocal imaging of biological samples with a resolution that is not limited by diffraction. It
provides new insights in various fields of biology, such as membrane biology, neurobiology and physiology. Its three
dimensional sectioning ability allows the acquisition of high resolution image stacks. Furthermore, STED microscopy
enables the recording of dynamic processes and live cell images. We present two-color imaging in confocal STED
microscopy with a single STED wavelength. Pulsed and continuous wave lasers in the visible and near infra-red
wavelengths range are used for stimulated emission. The resolution enhancement is demonstrated in comparison to
confocal imaging with biological specimens.
Buffer controlled photoswitching microscopy using standard organic fluorophores
Author(s):
Volker Buschmann;
Samantha Fore;
Sebastian van de Linde;
Markus Sauer;
Steve Wolter;
Mike Heilemann;
Felix Koberling;
Rainer Erdmann
Show Abstract
The interest in super-resolution microscopy techniques has dramatically increased in the last years due to the
unprecedented insight into cellular structure which has become possible [1]. In all widefield-based techniques, such as
Stochastical Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM) or
Photo-activation localization microscopy (PALM), the
dye-sensor-molecules are switched between a bright and a dark state. Many organic fluorophores exhibit intrinsic dark
states with a lifetime that can be tuned by adjusting the level of oxidants and reductants in the buffer, thereby allowing to
reversibly switch individual fluorophores between an on- and
off-state [2]. This behavior is used in the dSTORM
method.
We exploited this redox-level adjusted photoswitching behaviour based on addition of millimolar amounts of reducing
thiols for high-resolution imaging on a setup based on an inverse microscope coupled with ultrasensitive CCD camera
detection. In order to quickly control the quality of the measurement, we used real-time computation of the
subdiffraction-resolution image [3]. This greatly increases the applicability of the method, as image analysis times are
greatly reduced.
3D structured illumination microscopy
Author(s):
William M. Dougherty;
Paul C. Goodwin
Show Abstract
Three-dimensional structured illumination microscopy achieves double the lateral and axial resolution of wide-field
microscopy, using conventional fluorescent dyes, proteins and sample preparation techniques. A three-dimensional
interference-fringe pattern excites the fluorescence, filling in the "missing cone" of the wide field optical transfer
function, thereby enabling axial (z) discrimination. The pattern acts as a spatial carrier frequency that mixes with the
higher spatial frequency components of the image, which usually succumb to the diffraction limit. The fluorescence
image encodes the high frequency content as a down-mixed, moiré-like pattern. A series of images is required, wherein
the 3D pattern is shifted and rotated, providing down-mixed data for a system of linear equations. Super-resolution is
obtained by solving these equations. The speed with which the image series can be obtained can be a problem for the
microscopy of living cells. Challenges include pattern-switching speeds, optical efficiency, wavefront quality and fringe
contrast, fringe pitch optimization, and polarization issues. We will review some recent developments in 3D-SIM
hardware with the goal of super-resolved z-stacks of motile cells.
Superresolution saturated structured illumination microscopy system: theoretical aspects and real life
Author(s):
Dror Fixler;
Aviram Gur;
Zeev Zalevsky
Show Abstract
Many strategies for improving both axial and lateral resolutions are based on a priori information about the input signal
and lead on a numerical aperture improvement. But all of them are still limited by the wave nature of light. By using
fluorescence technique one theoretically can reach unlimited resolution. In this talk we present simulation and
experimental results which show the advantage and problems of using the nonlinear fluorescence effect in super
resolution systems. The results show that it is almost impossible to get the nonlinear fluorescence effect without getting
being limited by the fluorescence quenching, bleaching and saturation phenomena.
Quantification of DNA repair protein kinetics after gamma-irradiation using number and brightness analysis
Author(s):
Salim Abdisalaam;
Milan Poudel;
David J. Chen;
George Alexandrakis
Show Abstract
The kinetics of most proteins involved in DNA damage sensing, signaling and repair following ionizing radiation
exposure cannot be quantified by current live cell fluorescence microscopy methods. This is because most of these
proteins, with only few notable exceptions, do not attach in large numbers at DNA damage sites to form easily detectable
foci in microscopy images. As a result a high fluorescence background from freely moving and immobile fluorescent
proteins in the nucleus masks the aggregation of proteins at sparse DNA damage sites. Currently, the kinetics of these
repair proteins are studied by laser-induced damage and Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching that rely on the
detectability of high fluorescence intensity spots of clustered DNA damage. We report on the use of Number and
Brightness (N&B) analysis methods as a means to monitor kinetics of DNA repair proteins during sparse DNA damage
created by γ-irradiation, which is more relevant to cancer treatment than laser-induced clustered damage. We use two
key double strand break repair proteins, namely Ku 70/80 and the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit
(DNA-PKCS), as specific examples to showcase the feasibility of the proposed methods to quantify dose-dependent
kinetics for DNA repair proteins after exposure to γ-rays.
Lifetime-based discrimination between spectrally matching vis and NIR emitting particle labels and probes
Author(s):
K. Hoffmann;
T. Behnke;
D. Drescher;
J. Kneipp;
U. Resch-Genger
Show Abstract
Increasing the information content from bioassays which requires robust and efficient strategies for the detection of
multiple analytes or targets in a single measurement is an important field of research, especially in the context of meeting
current security and health concerns.
An attractive alternative to spectral multiplexing, which relies on fluorescent labels excitable at the same wavelength, yet
sufficiently differing in their emission spectra or color presents lifetime multiplexing. For this purpose, we recently
introduced a new strategy based on "pattern-matching" in the lifetime domain, which was exemplary exploited for the
discrimination between organic dyes and quantum dot labels revealing multi-exponential decay kinetics and allowed
quantification of these labels. Meanwhile, we have succeeded in extending this lifetime multiplexing approach to
nanometer-sized particle labels and probes absorbing and emitting in the visible (vis) and near-infrared (NIR) spectral
region. Here, we present a first proof-of-principle of this approach for a pair of NIR-fluorescent particles. Each particle
is loaded with a single organic dye chosen to display very similar absorption and emission spectra, yet different
fluorescence decay kinetics. Examples for the lifetime-based distinction between pairs of these fluorescent nanoparticles
in solution and in cells are presented. The results underline the potential of fluorescenc lifetime multiplexing in life
science and bioanalysis.