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Related Concept Videos

Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy01:20

Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

To be visualized by an electron microscope, either transmission or scanning, biological samples need to be fixed (stabilized) so the electron beam does not destroy them and dried thoroughly (desiccated/dehydrated) so the vacuum does not affect them. Fixation needs to be done as quickly as possible because the sample properties will start changing as soon as it is removed from its natural environment. For example, in a tissue sample, the oxygen levels begin decreasing, causing an altered...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

High Precision FRET at Single-molecule Level for Biomolecule Structure Determination
11:24

High Precision FRET at Single-molecule Level for Biomolecule Structure Determination

Published on: May 13, 2017

Preparing sample chambers for single-molecule FRET.

Chirlmin Joo, Taekjip Ha

    Cold Spring Harbor Protocols
    |October 3, 2012
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    This study details a protocol for preparing sample chambers for single-molecule Förster (fluorescence) resonance energy transfer (smFRET) studies. These chambers enable tethering of single molecules for observing conformational changes over extended periods.

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    High Precision FRET at Single-molecule Level for Biomolecule Structure Determination
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    Making Precise and Accurate Single-Molecule FRET Measurements using the Open-Source smfBox
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    Structural Information from Single-molecule FRET Experiments Using the Fast Nano-positioning System
    12:30

    Structural Information from Single-molecule FRET Experiments Using the Fast Nano-positioning System

    Published on: February 9, 2017

    Area of Science:

    • Biophysics
    • Biochemistry
    • Microscopy

    Background:

    • Single-molecule (sm) fluorescence detection offers advantages over traditional methods by avoiding time and population averaging.
    • Förster (fluorescence) resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a distance-dependent spectroscopic ruler (30-80 Å) sensitive to molecular conformational changes and interactions.
    • Total internal reflection (TIR) microscopy is a variant of smFRET used for studying dynamic molecular events.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To describe a protocol for preparing sample chambers for single-molecule FRET (smFRET) experiments.
    • To enable spatial localization of single molecules for long-term conformational change studies.
    • To facilitate the tethering of single molecules to surfaces for advanced biophysical analysis.

    Main Methods:

    • Preparation of sample chambers using slides coated with either bovine serum albumin (BSA) or polyethylene glycol (PEG).
    • Tethering of single molecules to the prepared surfaces for immobilization.
    • Utilizing total internal reflection (TIR) microscopy, with either objective-type or prism-type immersion lenses.

    Main Results:

    • Successfully developed a protocol for creating stable sample chambers suitable for single-molecule studies.
    • Demonstrated methods for effectively tethering single molecules to coated surfaces.
    • Established a foundation for long-term observation of molecular dynamics using smFRET.

    Conclusions:

    • The described protocol provides a reliable method for preparing surfaces for single-molecule FRET investigations.
    • This technique allows for the detailed study of conformational dynamics in individual biological molecules.
    • The prepared chambers are crucial for advancing our understanding of molecular mechanisms at the single-molecule level.