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Three-dimensional Optical-resolution Photoacoustic Microscopy
Published on: May 3, 2011
Nano-spectroscopic imaging of proteins with near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM)
Yang-Chun Yong1, Yan-Zhai Wang1, Jian-Jiang Zhong2
1Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China.
Abstract:
Understanding the hierarchical structure of proteins at their fundamental length scales is essential to get insights into their functions and roles in fundamental biological processes. Near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM), which overcomes the diffraction limits of conventional optics, provides a powerful analytical tool to image target proteins at nanoscale resolution. Especially, by combining NSOM with infrared (IR) or Raman spectroscopy, near-field nanospectroscopic imaging of a single protein is achieved. In this review, we present the recent technical progress of NSOM setup for nanospectroscopic imaging of proteins, and its application to nanospectroscopic analysis of protein structures is highlighted and critically reviewed. Finally, current challenges and perspectives on application of NSOM in emerging areas of industrial, environmental and medical biotechnology are discussed.
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