Aug. 29, 2011

Measuring Nanodistances in Cells

Understanding how complex processes such as receptor signal transduction work in cells requires knowledge of the structure-function relationships underlying the composition of protein complexes. Characterization of the oligomerization state of complexes requires the measurement of distances around 10-15 nm, too long for fluorescence energy transfer (FRET), but too small for optical resolution. Here we discuss various approaches that are being taken to mea­sure these distances in cells.

Spatial Resolution Requirements for Cell Biology
moreAug. 25, 2011

Controlling Transport through Nuclear Pore Complex

Nuclear Pore Complexes (NPCs), large protein structures which span the nuclear membrane in eukaryotic cells and mediate the exchange of materials between the nucleus and cytoplasm, play a vital role in many aspects of cellular physiology including gene expression. Defects in NPC function are implicated in a number of autoimmune diseases, leukaemias and others cancers. Also, nuclear transport plays a pivotal role in viral infections. moreApr. 05, 2011

Alternating-Color Quantum Dots

Jessica Winter and Gang Ruan, engineers at Ohio State University, have invented a new kind of nano-particle that shines in different colors to tag molecules in biomedical tests. These tiny plastic nano-particles are stuffed with even tinier bits of electronics called quantum dots. moreMar. 28, 2011

Biophotonic Nanohybrids: Self-organization of Fibronectin into Nanofibers

Biophotonic Nanohybrids: The team of Prof. Dr. Klaus D. Jandt from Friedrich -Schiller-University Jena, Germany have used the self-organisation of molecules to create nanofibres from the protein fibronectin. In the body fibronectin plays an important role in many different processes: It builds the connection between cells and is involved in the coagulation of blood. moreJan. 25, 2010

Quantum Dots DNA Nanosensors

Semiconductor quantum dots are light-emitting nanocrystals (2-10 nm) that straddle the border between condensed matter and atomic physics. In a quantum dot, all three spatial dimensions of the crystal are limited to less than the exciton radius of the material such that discrete energy levels arise due to quantum confinement effects and the spacing of which can be controlled by manipulation of crystal size. moreDec. 01, 2008

Organic Dyes & Quantum Dots as Fluorescence Labels

Organic Dyes & Quantum Dots as Fluorescence Labels: U. Resch-Genger and her colleagues review the recent developments in quantum dot-based labelling technology and compare these inorganic nanocrystals with the properties of traditional organic dyes.
Nature Methods 5, 763-775 moreNov. 01, 2007

Omega Optical Catalog of Fluorescence Filter Sets

Omega Optical Catalog of Fluorescence Filter Sets. The 2007 catalog, Precision Optical Filters for Fluorescence Microscopy, includes fifteen high performance sets for fluorescent proteins, and ten new sets for Fret applications. These products complement an extensive selection of dye-specific filter sets for all single and multilabel microscopy applications, including Quantum Dots, MFISH, Pinkel, Sedat, Ratio Imaging, Confocal, and Multiphoton. more