We present the conception, fabrication, and demonstration of a versatile, computer-controlled microscopy device which transforms a standard inverted fluorescence microscope into a precision single-molecule imaging station. The device uses the principle of convex lens-induced confinement [S. R. Leslie, A. P. Fields, and A. E. Cohen, Anal. Chem. 82, 6224 (2010)], which employs a tunable imaging chamber to enhance background rejection and extend diffusion-limited observation periods. Using nanopositioning stages, this device achieves repeatable and dynamic control over the geometry of the sample chamber on scales as small as the size of individual molecules, enabling regulation of their configurations and dynamics. Using microfluidics, this device enables serial insertion as well as sample recovery, facilitating temporally controlled, high-throughput measurements of multiple reagents. We report on the simulation and experimental characterization of this tunable chamber geometry, and its influence upon the diffusion and conformations of DNA molecules over extended observation periods. This new microscopy platform has the potential to capture, probe, and influence the configurations of single molecules, with dramatically improved imaging conditions in comparison to existing technologies. These capabilities are of immediate interest to a wide range of research and industry sectors in biotechnology, biophysics, materials, and chemistry.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
October 2013
Research Article|
October 10 2013
Precision platform for convex lens-induced confinement microscopy
Daniel Berard;
Daniel Berard
Department of Physics,
McGill University
, Montreal H3A 2T8, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
Christopher M. J. McFaul;
Christopher M. J. McFaul
Department of Physics,
McGill University
, Montreal H3A 2T8, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
Jason S. Leith;
Jason S. Leith
Department of Physics,
McGill University
, Montreal H3A 2T8, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
Adriel K. J. Arsenault;
Adriel K. J. Arsenault
Department of Physics,
McGill University
, Montreal H3A 2T8, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
François Michaud;
François Michaud
Department of Physics,
McGill University
, Montreal H3A 2T8, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
Sabrina R. Leslie
Sabrina R. Leslie
a)
Department of Physics,
McGill University
, Montreal H3A 2T8, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
Rev. Sci. Instrum. 84, 103704 (2013)
Article history
Received:
July 26 2013
Accepted:
September 11 2013
Citation
Daniel Berard, Christopher M. J. McFaul, Jason S. Leith, Adriel K. J. Arsenault, François Michaud, Sabrina R. Leslie; Precision platform for convex lens-induced confinement microscopy. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 1 October 2013; 84 (10): 103704. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4822276
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign In
You could not be signed in. Please check your credentials and make sure you have an active account and try again.
Pay-Per-View Access
$40.00
Citing articles via
Overview of the early campaign diagnostics for the SPARC tokamak (invited)
M. L. Reinke, I. Abramovic, et al.
Uniform microwave field formation for control of ensembles of negatively charged nitrogen vacancy in diamond
Oleg Rezinkin, Marina Rezinkina, et al.
An instrumentation guide to measuring thermal conductivity using frequency domain thermoreflectance (FDTR)
Dylan J. Kirsch, Joshua Martin, et al.
Related Content
Open-frame system for single-molecule microscopy
Rev. Sci. Instrum. (March 2015)
Bi-convex aspheric optical lenses
Appl. Phys. Lett. (March 2017)
Formatting and ligating biopolymers using adjustable nanoconfinement
Appl. Phys. Lett. (July 2016)
Strain responsive concave and convex microlens arrays
Appl. Phys. Lett. (December 2007)
Tuning magnetic anisotropy of amorphous CoFeB film by depositing on convex flexible substrates
AIP Advances (February 2016)