Sensitivity, resolution and speed in detection and tracking of single biomolecules

Special Seminars

Speaker: Vahid Sandoghdar, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light
Date & Time: September 9, 2014 12:00 - 13:00
Location: UBC, AMPEL 311
Local Contact: Jeff Young
Intended Audience: Public

Optical techniques are in high demand for the investigation of biomedical processes because they can be noninvasive, real-time and fast. In this talk, I present an overview of the recent advances in pushing the limits of sensitivity, resolution and speed in biological microscopy and how methods from laser spectroscopy, quantum optics and nanoscience have introduced a revolution in this area. In particular, I will show that photophysical improvements at low temperature can lead to optical resolution in the angstrom range, i.e. about one thousand times better than the diffraction limit. Next, I will discuss the need for fluorescence-free microscopy and how interferometric scattering detection (iSCAT) can be used for detecting individual biomolecules as small as 60 kDa in a direct and label-free fashion. The use of this method for very fast studies of diffusion and transport in lipid membranes is another important biophysical application that will be examined. If time allows, I will also discuss our recent work on trapping and manipulation of very small nanoparticles.