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Updated: Mar 30, 2026

Single Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy on Planar Supported Bilayers

Single Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy on Planar Supported Bilayers

Published on: October 31, 2015

Single Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy on Planar Supported Bilayers.

Markus Axmann¹, Gerhard J Schütz¹, Johannes B Huppa²

¹Institute of Applied Physics - Biophysics, Vienna University of Technology.

Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove

|November 12, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Single molecule microscopy reveals cellular organization and protein behavior in living cells. This study details methods for creating protein-functionalized lipid bilayers and a cost-efficient microscopy system for advanced imaging.

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Single Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy on Planar Supported Bilayers

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Preparation of Mica Supported Lipid Bilayers for High Resolution Optical Microscopy Imaging

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Published on: June 7, 2014

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Cell Biology
Optical Microscopy

Background:

Single molecule microscopy offers high-resolution insights into cellular processes.
Glass-supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) facilitate cell proximity for advanced imaging.
SLBs are crucial for studying plasma membrane protein dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

To present methods for generating protein-functionalized SLBs.
To demonstrate protein mobility and density measurements using single molecule detection.
To outline the construction and operation of a cost-efficient single molecule microscopy system with TIRF illumination.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of protein-functionalized SLBs.
Single molecule detection techniques for mobility and density analysis.
Construction of a cost-efficient Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy system.

Main Results:

Reproducible generation of highly mobile protein-functionalized SLBs.
Successful determination of protein mobility and density within SLBs.
Demonstration of a functional and cost-efficient single molecule imaging setup.

Conclusions:

Single molecule microscopy is a valuable tool for life sciences.
The presented methods enable advanced studies of cellular organization and protein dynamics.
Cost-efficient microscopy systems can make advanced imaging accessible.