Combining nanoscale optical phenomena with atomic force microscopy for cellular studies

Sina Amini; Zhe Sun; Gerald A. Meininger; Kenith E. Meissner

doi:10.1117/12.906050

9 February 2012 Combining nanoscale optical phenomena with atomic force microscopy for cellular studies

Sina Amini, Zhe Sun, Gerald A. Meininger, Kenith E. Meissner

Proceedings Volume 8225, Imaging, Manipulation, and Analysis of Biomolecules, Cells, and Tissues X; 82251R (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.906050
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2012, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Evanescent Waves (EWs) and Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) concepts combined with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) have been used for imaging and sensing. For the proposed EW microscopy system, Quantum Dot (QD) embedded Polystyrene microspheres are mounted on AFM cantilevers. When excited by laser, QDs luminescence couples to the Whispering Gallery Modes (WGMs) in the periphery of the microsphere. The resultant EWs extend on the order of 100 nm from the surface of the microsphere. These EWs decay exponentially and are explored as a tool to excite fluorescent labeled trans-membrane and near-membrane proteins. For the FRET system, QD coated silica microspheres are conjugated with fibronectin and mounted on AFM cantilevers. Moving the sphere down to the surface of the RFP-αv integrin tagged cells, fibronectins on the microsphere surface bind to integrins on the cell surface and FRET is observed between the QDs (donor) and RFP (acceptor). The detected fluorescence for the imaging system and the FRET efficiency for the sensing system are both functions of cell surface protein density. These innovative nanoscale imaging and sensing systems can be used to obtain unique dynamic data from living cells to improve understanding of cell adhesion and mechanobiology in cells.

Citation Download Citation

Sina Amini, Zhe Sun, Gerald A. Meininger, and Kenith E. Meissner "Combining nanoscale optical phenomena with atomic force microscopy for cellular studies", Proc. SPIE 8225, Imaging, Manipulation, and Analysis of Biomolecules, Cells, and Tissues X, 82251R (9 February 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.906050

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available