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Liu Y, Chen Q, Zhang H, Feng Z, Zou G, Zhang D. Cascaded momentum-space polarization filters enabled label-free black-field microscopy for single nanoparticles analysis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321825121. [PMID: 38498716 PMCID: PMC10990084 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321825121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Label-free optical imaging of single-nanometer-scale matter is extremely important for a variety of biomedical, physical, and chemical investigations. One central challenge is that the background intensity is much stronger than the intensity of the scattering light from single nano-objects. Here, we propose an optical module comprising cascaded momentum-space polarization filters that can perform vector field modulation to block most of the background field and result in an almost black background; in contrast, only a small proportion of the scattering field is blocked, leading to obvious imaging contrast enhancement. This module can be installed in various optical microscopies to realize a black-field microscopy. Various single nano-objects with dimensions smaller than 20 nm appear distinctly in the black-field images. The chemical reactions occurring on single nanocrystals with edge lengths of approximately 10 nm are in situ real-time monitored by using the black-field microscopy. This label-free black-field microscopy is highly promising for a wide range of future multidisciplinary science applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Advanced Laser Technology Laboratory of Anhui Province, Department of Optics and Optical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui230026, China
| | - Qiankun Chen
- Advanced Laser Technology Laboratory of Anhui Province, Department of Optics and Optical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui230026, China
| | - Hongli Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui230026, China
| | - Zeyu Feng
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui230026, China
| | - Gang Zou
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui230026, China
| | - Douguo Zhang
- Advanced Laser Technology Laboratory of Anhui Province, Department of Optics and Optical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui230026, China
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui230026, China
- Hefei National Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230088, China
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Zhou X, Chieng A, Wang S. Label-Free Optical Imaging of Nanoscale Single Entities. ACS Sens 2024; 9:543-554. [PMID: 38346398 PMCID: PMC10990724 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c02526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The advancement of optical microscopy technologies has achieved imaging of nanoscale objects, including nanomaterials, virions, organelles, and biological molecules, at the single entity level. Recently developed plasmonic and scattering based optical microscopy technologies have enabled label-free imaging of single entities with high spatial and temporal resolutions. These label-free methods eliminate the complexity of sample labeling and minimize the perturbation of the analyte native state. Additionally, these imaging-based methods can noninvasively probe the dynamics and functions of single entities with sufficient throughput for heterogeneity analysis. This perspective will review label-free single entity imaging technologies and discuss their principles, applications, and key challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Zhou
- Biodesign Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Andy Chieng
- Biodesign Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Shaopeng Wang
- Biodesign Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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Zhang Z, Faez S. Iontronic microscopy of a tungsten microelectrode: "seeing" ionic currents under an optical microscope. Faraday Discuss 2023; 246:426-440. [PMID: 37404127 PMCID: PMC10568260 DOI: 10.1039/d3fd00040k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Optical methods for monitoring electrochemical reactions at an interface are advantageous because of their table-top setup and ease of integration into reactors. Here we apply EDL-modulation microscopy to one of the main components of amperometric measurement devices: a microelectrode. We present experimental measurements of the EDL-modulation contrast from the tip of a tungsten microelectrode at various electrochemical potentials inside a ferrocene-dimethanol Fe(MeOH)2 solution. Using the combination of the dark-field scattering microscope and the lock-in detection technique, we measure the phase and amplitude of local ion-concentration oscillations in response to an AC potential as the electrode potential is scanned through the redox-activity window of the dissolved species. We present the amplitude and phase map of this response, as such this method can be used to study the spatial and temporal variations of the ion-flux due to an electrochemical reaction close to metallic and semiconducting objects of general geometry. We discuss the advantages and possible extensions of using this microscopy method for wide-field imaging of ionic currents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Zhang
- Nanophotonics, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, 3584CC Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Sanli Faez
- Nanophotonics, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, 3584CC Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Peters A, Zhang Z, Faez S. Dark-field light scattering microscope with focus stabilization. HARDWAREX 2023; 14:e00424. [PMID: 37250188 PMCID: PMC10209673 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2023.e00424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We present detailed design and operation instructions for a single-objective inverted microscope. Our design is suitable for two dark-field modes of operation: 1- total internal reflection scattering, and 2- cross-polarization backscattering. The user can switch between the two modes by exchanging one mode-steering element, which is also adapted to the Thorlabs cage system. To establish a stable background speckle for differential microscopy the imaging plane is stabilized with active feedback. We validate the stabilization efficacy by performing long-term scattering measurement on single nanoparticles. This setup can be extended for simultaneous scattering, fluorescence, and confocal imaging modes.
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Wan Z, Ma G, Zhang P, Wang S. Single-Protein Identification by Simultaneous Size and Charge Imaging Using Evanescent Scattering Microscopy. ACS Sens 2022; 7:2625-2633. [PMID: 36000947 PMCID: PMC9509435 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.2c01008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Separation and identification of different proteins is one of the most fundamental tasks in biochemistry that is typically achieved by electrophoresis and Western blot techniques. Yet, it is challenging to perform such an analysis with a small sample size. Using a principle analogous to these conventional approaches, we present a label-free, single-molecule technique to identify different proteins based on the difference in their size, charge, and antibody binding. We tether single protein molecules to a sensor surface with a flexible polymer and drive them into oscillation by applying an alternating electric field. By tracking the nanometer-scale oscillation of each protein molecule via high-resolution scattering microscopy, the size and charge of each protein molecule can be determined simultaneously. Changes induced by varying the buffer pH and antibody binding are also investigated, which allows us to further expand the separation ability and identify two different proteins in a mixture. We anticipate our technique will contribute to single protein analysis and biosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijian Wan
- Biodesign Center for Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
- School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
| | - Guangzhong Ma
- Biodesign Center for Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- Biodesign Center for Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
| | - Shaopeng Wang
- Biodesign Center for Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
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Zhang P, Wang R, Wan Z, Zhou X, Ma G, Kolay J, Jiang J, Wang S. Label-Free Imaging of Single Proteins and Binding Kinetics Using Total Internal Reflection-Based Evanescent Scattering Microscopy. Anal Chem 2022; 94:10781-10787. [PMID: 35852494 PMCID: PMC9467297 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c01510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Single-molecule detection can push beyond ensemble averages and reveal the statistical distributions of molecular properties. Measuring the binding kinetics of single proteins also represents one of the critical and challenging tasks in protein analysis. Here, we report total internal reflection-based evanescent scattering microscopy with label-free single-protein detection capability. Total internal reflection is employed to excite the evanescent field to enhance light-analyte interaction and reduce environmental noise. As a result, the system provides wide-field imaging capability and allows excitation and observation using one objective. In addition, this system quantifies protein binding kinetics by simultaneously counting the binding of individual molecules and recording their binding sites with nanometer precision, providing a digital method to measure binding kinetics with high spatiotemporal resolution. This approach does not employ specially designed microspheres or nanomaterials and may pave a way for label-free single-protein analysis in conventional microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Zhang
- Biodesign Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Rui Wang
- Biodesign Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Zijian Wan
- Biodesign Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- School of Electrical, Energy and Computer Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Xinyu Zhou
- Biodesign Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Guangzhong Ma
- Biodesign Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Jayeeta Kolay
- Biodesign Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Jiapei Jiang
- Biodesign Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Shaopeng Wang
- Biodesign Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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