Enhanced live cell membrane imaging using surface plasmon-enhanced total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy

Ruei Yu He, Guan Liang Chang, Hua Lin Wu, Chi Hung Lin, Kuo Chih Chiu, Yuan Deng Su, Shean Jen Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Using a total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) technique to image live cells on a biosurface not only provides an enhanced understanding of cellular functions, but also improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the images. However, the intensity of the fluorescence signal must be increased if a more dynamic biomolecular imaging capability is required. Accordingly, this study presents a surface plasmon-enhanced TIRFM technique in which the fluorescence signals are enhanced via surface plasmons offered by a silver nanolayer. The developed microscopy technique is successfully applied to the real-time observation of the thrombomodulin proteins of live cell membranes. The experimental results and the simulation results demonstrate that the live cell membrane images obtained in the proposed surface plasmon-enhanced TIRFM technique are brighter by approximately one order of magnitude than those provided by conventional TIRFM.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9307-9316
Number of pages10
JournalOptics Express
Volume14
Issue number20
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006 Oct

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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