Detection of single quantum dots in model organisms with sheet illumination microscopy

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Dec 18;390(3):722-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.10.036. Epub 2009 Oct 13.

Abstract

Single-molecule detection and tracking is important for observing biomolecule interactions in the microenvironment. Here we report selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM) with single-molecule detection in living organisms, which enables fast imaging and single-molecule tracking and optical penetration beyond 300 microm. We detected single nanocrystals in Drosophila larvae and zebrafish embryo. We also report our first tracking of single quantum dots during zebrafish development, which displays a transition from flow to confined motion prior to the blastula stage. The new SPIM setup represents a new technique, which enables fast single-molecule imaging and tracking in living systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drosophila melanogaster / chemistry
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / chemistry
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism
  • Larva / chemistry
  • Larva / metabolism
  • Lighting
  • Microscopy / methods
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Quantum Dots*
  • Zebrafish / embryology
  • Zebrafish / metabolism