Letter abstract
Nature Nanotechnology 4, 45 - 49 (2009)
Published online: 23 November 2008 | Corrected online: 8 December 2008 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.333
Subject Categories: Carbon nanotubes and fullerenes | Molecular self-assembly | Nanomaterials | Synthesis and processing
Optically monitoring the mechanical assembly of single molecules
Stefan K. Kufer1, Mathias Strackharn1, Stefan W. Stahl1, Hermann Gumpp1, Elias M. Puchner1,2 & Hermann E. Gaub1
Abstract
Bottom-up assembly at the level of individual molecules requires a combination of utmost spatial precision and efficient monitoring. We have previously shown how to 'cut-and-paste' single molecules1, and other groups have demonstrated that it is possible to beat the diffraction limit in optical microscopy2, 3, 4. Here we show that a combination of single-molecule cut-and-paste surface assembly1, total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy5, 6, 7, 8 can be used to deposit individual fluorophores in well-defined nanoscale patterns and also to monitor the process in real time with nanometre precision. Although the size of the pattern is well below the optical resolution of the microscope, the individual dyes are identified by localizing the centroids and detecting the photobleaching of the fluorophores. With this combination of methods, individual dyes or labelled biomolecules can be arranged at will for specific functions, such as coupled fluorophore systems or tailored enzyme cascades, and monitored with nanoscale precision.
- Centre for Nanoscience and Physics Department, University of Munich, Amalienstrasse 54, 80799 Munich, Germany
- Centre for Integrated Protein Science Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5 - 13, 81377 Munich, Germany
Correspondence to: Hermann E. Gaub1 e-mail: Gaub@LMU.de
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