Fast quantitative single-molecule detection at ultralow concentrations.
The applicability of single-molecule fluorescence assays in liquids is limited by diffusion to concentrations in the low picomolar range. Here, we demonstrate quantitative single-molecule detection at attomolar concentrations within 1 min by excitation and detection of fluorescence through a single-mode optical fiber in presence of turbulent flow. The combination of high detectability and short measurement times promises applications in ultrasensitive assays, sensors, and point-of-care medical diagnostics.
Haas
Philippe
P
National Center of Competence for Research in Nanoscale Science (NCCR), Institute of Physics, Klingelbergstrasse 82, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland.
Then
Patrick
P
Wild
Andreas
A
Grange
Wilfried
W
Zorman
Sylvain
S
Hegner
Martin
M
Calame
Michel
M
Aebi
Ueli
U
Flammer
Josef
J
Hecht
Bert
B
D004058:Diffusion; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D045663:Quantum Dots; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes