SINGLE-PHOTON DETECTORS: Fluorescence microscopy benefits from advances in single-photon detectors

摘要

Optical detectors used in photon-counting mode provide ideal signal-to-noise characteristics (limited by the shot noise). Recent advances in single-photon-counting detectors can be incorporated in commercial microscope systems to improve fluorescence-signal detection in live-cell imaging. The study of biomolecular interactions and dynamics in live cells, tissue, and whole organisms (intravital imaging) has greatly increased over the past decade. Intravital microscopy is now widely used in neuroscience, immunology, and developmental biology to study the dynamics of specific proteins, lipids, or whole cells in live organisms. In part, this increased use has been due to the development and refinement of genetically encodable green fluorescent protein (see http:/obelprize.orgobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/2008/); however, the development of high-speed ultrasensitive confocal microscopes (see www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/312439) and two-photon microscopes (see www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/283869) has also played a significant part.