Fluorescence imaging with one-nanometer accuracy (FIONA)

J Vis Exp. 2014 Sep 26:(91):51774. doi: 10.3791/51774.

Abstract

Fluorescence imaging with one-nanometer accuracy (FIONA) is a simple but useful technique for localizing single fluorophores with nanometer precision in the x-y plane. Here a summary of the FIONA technique is reported and examples of research that have been performed using FIONA are briefly described. First, how to set up the required equipment for FIONA experiments, i.e., a total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), with details on aligning the optics, is described. Then how to carry out a simple FIONA experiment on localizing immobilized Cy3-DNA single molecules using appropriate protocols, followed by the use of FIONA to measure the 36 nm step size of a single truncated myosin Va motor labeled with a quantum dot, is illustrated. Lastly, recent effort to extend the application of FIONA to thick samples is reported. It is shown that, using a water immersion objective and quantum dots soaked deep in sol-gels and rabbit eye corneas (>200 µm), localization precision of 2-3 nm can be achieved.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carbocyanines / chemistry
  • Cornea / chemistry
  • DNA / chemistry
  • Immobilized Nucleic Acids / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Phase Transition
  • Quantum Dots
  • Rabbits

Substances

  • Carbocyanines
  • Immobilized Nucleic Acids
  • cyanine dye 3
  • DNA