Nanoaperture fabrication via colloidal lithography for single molecule fluorescence analysis
Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: In single molecule fluorescence studies, background emission from labeled substrates often restricts their concentrations to non-physiological nanomolar values. One approach to address this challenge is the use of zero-mode waveguides (ZMWs), nanoscale holes in a thin metal film that physically and optically confine the observation volume allowing much higher concentrations of fluorescent substrates. Standard fabrication of ZMWs utilizes slow and costly E-beam nano-lithography. Herein, ZMWs are made using a self-assembled mask of polystyrene microspheres, enabling fabrication of thousands of ZMWs in parallel without sophisticated equipment. Polystyrene 1 μm dia. microbeads self-assemble on a glass slide into a hexagonal array, forming a mask for the deposition of metallic posts in the inter-bead interstices. The width of those interstices (and subsequent posts) is adjusted within 100-300 nm by partially fusing the beads at the polystyrene glass transition temperature. The beads are dissolved in toluene, aluminum or gold cladding is deposited around the posts, and those are dissolved, leaving behind an array ZMWs. Parameter optimization and the performance of the ZMWs are presented. By using colloidal self-assembly, typical laboratories can make use of sub-wavelength ZMW technology avoiding the availability and expense of sophisticated clean-room environments and equipment.
Source: PLoS ONE
Authors: Ryan M. Jamiolkowski, Kevin Y Chen, Shane A. Fiorenza, Alyssa M. Tate, Shawn H. Pfeil, Yale E. Goldman
Institutions: University of Pennsylvania, West Chester University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,595
Funders: National Science Foundation, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation
Awards: G1199548893, G1870677656, G1946057023, Cytoskeletal Motors and Scaffolds in Membrane Dynamics and Motility, G4481177325, Integration and control of molecular motors, G5386157206, Single molecule FRET study of viral programmed ribosomal frameshifting, Single Molecule Dynamics of mRNA Translation, "Structural Dynamics of Molecular Motors and the Ribosome" The studies proposed will give basic information on gene expression, cellular development, and transport motor function in cell biology., Mechanisms of Eukaryotic Translation with a Focus on Induced Nonsense Suppression, Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechano-Biology
OpenAlex ID: W2980188599