Lab-on-a-chip system for the optical characterization of molecular dynamics (BioLOC)

Proteins are responsible for almost all processes in a cell: from metabolism to structural functions or DNA replication. Since they are smaller than the resolving power of a normal microscope, high-resolution microscopy is needed to observe them. However, the study of protein function goes beyond imaging alone and requires the investigation of dynamic processes. To date, most methods for molecular analysis have relied on ensemble measurement techniques and surface systems that bind specific molecules. The optical instrument used here is intended to analyze individual molecules without potentially compromising their function through biochemical binding. Thus, the goal is to develop a system that can be used to study freely moving single molecules in a compact microfluidic device. The prerequisite is a very high detection sensitivity of individual fluorophores with which the molecules are labeled. For the implementation of an improved detection sensitivity, an approach from light sheet microscopy is followed: the illumination and detection beam paths are decoupled and positioned perpendicular to each other.