| Description |
Biology is the culmination of many singular events like the generation of ‘a’ mRNA from ‘a’ DNA by ‘a’ RNA polymerase. Yet, our understanding of most biological processes comes from ensemble studies of the molecules carried out in a tube or using reporters in cells and organisms. Detailed mechanistic understanding of all biological phenomena is complicated by the heterogeneity among biomolecules, transient nature of interactions and limits on detection of individual molecules. Current techniques that can probe single molecules have remained largely restricted to purified recombinant proteins in vitro and hence their impact in mainstream biology has been limiting. We have developed two fluorescence microscopy technologies that now allow us to detect even a single fluorescent protein or dye molecule attached to biomolecules in living eukaryotic cells. These methods allow us to investigate molecular diffusion and interaction of biomolecules at the single molecule level as well as achieve super-resolution imaging of cellular components. |