Single-Molecule Nanotechnologies: An Evolution in Biological Dynamics Detection

Yu Li, Lihua Zhao, Yuan Yao, Xuefeng Guo

Single-molecule detection is a rapidly developing area within the analytical chemistry field that requires ultrasensitive technologies to detect a range of molecules. Over the past few decades, various optically-, mechanically-, and electrically-based strategies have been employed for single-molecule detection to uncover information in biological processes. These strategies enable real-time monitoring with single-molecule/single-event sensitivity. In addition, their high temporal resolution enables investigation of the underlying mechanisms of biological functions from static to dynamic, from qualitative to quantitative, and from one to multiple disciplines. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the prominent, real-time single-molecule detection nanotechnologies and their potential applications within the life science fields.

DOI

Red-Blood-Cell-Based Microlens: Application to Single-Cell Membrane Imaging and Stretching

Xiaoshuai Liu, Yuchao Li, Xiaohao Xu, Yao Zhang, Baojun Li

The red blood cell (RBC)-based microlens has attracted extensive insights into biological applications due to its intrinsic advantages of total biocompatibility. Most of the currently available RBC microlenses are fixed on a substrate and cannot be moved in a flexible manner, which limits their applications to optical imaging. Here we present an RBC microlens assembled by launching a 980 nm laser beam into a tapered fiber probe. The RBC microlens was then used to scan a single-cell membrane in three dimensions for optical imaging with a magnification factor of 1.7. Moreover, the microlens was employed to stretch the cell membrane with an enhancement factor of 1.5 in a noncontact and noninvasive manner.

DOI