Single Molecule Imaging

Classical biological techniques primarily focus on the behavior of large groups of molecules, which limits the ability to identify subpopulations or observe how these groups respond to different experimental conditions. To study single molecules or subpopulations, it is necessary to maintain strict experimental controls, ensuring that each molecule is in a uniform state and examined individually.

Single-molecule fluorescence microscopy is a specialized form of fluorescence microscopy that employs fluorescent tags to detect and analyze individual molecules. This approach enables the visualization of single-molecule activity with high signal-to-noise ratios while preserving the physiological conditions of the biological system.

Because single-molecule imaging typically involves very low light levels, a key challenge is to capture as many emitted photons as possible to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio, making a highly sensitive camera essential for successful imaging.