title: Three powerful research tools from single cells into single molecules: AFM, laser tweezers, and Raman spectroscopy.
abstract: By using three physical techniques (atomic force microscopy (AFM), laser tweezers, and Raman spectroscopy), many excellent works in single-cell/molecule research have been accomplished. In this review, we present a brief introduction to the principles of these three techniques, and their capabilities toward single-cell/molecule research are highlighted. Afterward, the advances in single-cell/molecule research that have been facilitated by these three techniques are described. Following this, their complementary assets for single-cell/molecule research are analyzed, and the necessity of integrating the functions of these three techniques into one instrument is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Near-field Optics and Nano Technology, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yongkuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Kedong
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Shi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D015335:Molecular Probes / Q000032:analysis; D036103:Nanotechnology; D052898:Optical Tweezers; D059010:Single-Cell Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D015335:Molecular Probes