Interaction of chloramphenicol with titin I27 probed using single-molecule force spectroscopy

Advancements in Single-Molecule Fluorescence Detection Techniques and Their Expansive Applications in Drug Discovery and Neuroscience

Single-molecule fluorescence technology stands at the forefront of scientific research as a sophisticated tool, pushing the boundaries of our understanding. This review comprehensively summarizes the technological advancements in single-molecule fluorescence detection, highlighting the latest achievements in the development of single-molecule fluorescent probes, imaging systems, and biosensors. It delves into the applications of these cutting-edge tools in drug discovery and neuroscience research, encompassing the design and monitoring of complex drug delivery systems, the elucidation of pharmacological mechanisms and pharmacokinetics, the intricacies of neuronal signaling and synaptic function, and the molecular underpinnings of neurodegenerative diseases. The exceptional sensitivity demonstrated in these applications underscores the vast potential of single-molecule fluorescence technology in modern biomedical research, heralding its expansion into other scientific domains.

Single-molecule studies reveal the distinction of strong and weak polyelectrolytes in aqueous solutions

Polyelectrolytes are an important class of functional polymers that have the advantages of both polymers and electrolytes due to the presence of charges, and have prospective applications in many fields. The charge of the backbone is an important factor affecting the properties of polyelectrolytes. Therefore, the complex interactions caused by the charges in polyelectrolyte solutions pose a challenge to the study of polyelectrolyte systems, and there is no consensus on the distinction between the behavior of strong and weak polyelectrolytes in solution. Based on single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS), the distinction of strong and weak polyelectrolytes is clarified for the first time at the single molecular level by comparing the single-chain elasticity in different environments. It is expected that the single-molecule study will provide the theoretical and experimental basis for the further application of polyelectrolytes.