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Updated: Feb 14, 2026
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Single Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy on Planar Supported Bilayers
Published on: October 31, 2015
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Electrochemical Control of Fluorescence Emission: From Intensity Modulation to Single Molecule Switching for
Ying Yang1, Yuanqing Ma1, Richard D Tilley1,2
1School of Chemistry and Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
Accounts of Chemical Research
|February 13, 2026
Summary
Electrochemistry offers new ways to control fluorescence microscopy. Researchers developed electrochemical methods for multicolor imaging and super-resolution microscopy, enabling precise control over fluorophore emission.
Area of Science:
- Advanced microscopy techniques
- Electrochemical control of fluorescence
- Nanoscale imaging
Background:
- Fluorescence microscopy is crucial in biology, with advances like single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) enabling super-resolution imaging.
- Current SMLM relies on light-induced photoswitching of fluorophores, limiting precise control over emission.
- Developing new methods for spatiotemporal control of fluorescence is key to advancing microscopy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore electrochemical methods for controlling fluorescence emission in microscopy.
- To expand multicolor imaging capabilities using electrochemistry.
- To adapt electrochemical control for super-resolution techniques like SMLM and STORM.
Main Methods:
- Investigated electrochemical potential effects on various organic dyes and fluorescent proteins.
- Developed electrochemical switching strategies for SMLM and STORM.
- Utilized redox mediators and controlled potentials to modulate fluorescence.
- Applied linear unmixing based on electrochemical spectra for multicolor separation.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that fluorophores respond distinctly to applied electrochemical potentials, creating unique 'electrochemical spectra'.
- Successfully imaged four spectrally similar fluorophores simultaneously using electrochemical separation.
- Developed electrochemically controlled switching for STORM, allowing precise tuning of ON/OFF states and blinking rates.
- Achieved improved resolution in crowded structures and faster acquisition for super-resolution optical fluctuation imaging (SOFI).
Conclusions:
- Electrochemistry provides a powerful alternative to photochemistry for controlling fluorescence emission in microscopy.
- Electrochemical control enhances multicolor imaging and super-resolution capabilities, offering precise and reproducible switching.
- This approach opens new avenues for advanced fluorescence microscopy with improved resolution and multiplexing.
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