Research

Single-Molecule Spectroscopy and Tracking, Superresolution Imaging, and Trapping of Single Biomolecules and Photosynthetic Proteins

(Superresolution image of vgRNA-filled replication organelles for SARS-CoV-2 in an infected cell (see DOI))

Executive Summary:
The Moerner Laboratory utilizes laser spectroscopy and microscopy of single molecules to probe biological processes, one biomolecule at a time. Primary thrusts include development and application of fluorescence microscopy far beyond the optical diffraction limit (superresolution microscopy) by PALM/STORM and STED approaches, invention and validation of methods for precise and accurate 3D optical microscopy in cells, and trapping of single biomolecules in solution for extended study. These approaches have been used to explore protein localization patterns in bacteria, to measure structures of amyloid aggregates in cells, to define the behavior of signaling proteins in the primary cilium, and to quantify photodynamics for photosynthetic proteins and enzymes. Current work addresses the nanoscale structural patterns of proteins and oligonucleotides in cells as well as the dynamics of DNA and RNA in cells, including those infected with viruses. Additional novel approaches to microscopy with molecules are a continuing focus of interest.

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Single-Molecule Basics, Selected Bibliography and Reviews
Superresolution Cellular Studies in 2D and 3D Using Single-Molecule Active Control Microscopy (SMACM) and STED Microscopy	Development of 3D Superresolution Imaging Using Single-Molecule Emitters
Trapping Single Photosynthetic Proteins and Enzymes in Solution for Extended Study	Biophysics, Single-Molecule Tracking in 2D and 3D in Cells
Nanophotonics	Chaperonins and Protein Aggregation Diseases
Other Single-Molecule Studies	Ultrasensitive Detection
Past Projects: Photorefractive Polymers