单分子科学前沿—监测、操纵与表征

Observation,manipulation and characterization: frontiers in nanoscale science of single molecules

单分子监测与操纵(Single-Molecule Observation and Manipulation)综合利用光学工具、荧光标记和扫描探针显微技术对单分子进行成像和监测。过去在观测大分子行为时,必须设法使样本中反应同步进行,以获取相对准确的分布信息。而单分子监测与操纵技术的出现,使得研究生理环境下的实时反应中大分子的构型、分布和反应进程成为可能,并为进一步解释DNA转录、RNA聚合、动力蛋白和蛋白质折叠机理等一系列过程提供了有力的研究手段。使用扫描隧道显微镜(Scanning Tunneling Microscope,STM),可以更为深刻地观察分子的量子电动力学行为,理解分子水平上力学作用、电磁作用及化学作用的相互影响,并以此为基础设计极其高效的纳米器件。对上述三个领域(光学工具、荧光标记、扫描探针显微技术)做了简要介绍,并重点阐述其在生物大分子研究中的具体应用。

Taking advantage of fluorescence labeling, scanned probes microscopy （SPM） and optical tools, the observation and manipulation of single molecules is now basically accessible. For a long period of time biochemists have to synchronize the reaction in samples to get relatively accurate information about distribution of molecules when observing certain macromolecule behaviors. Now with a single- molecule method, a deeper insight into the configuration changing and distribution fluctuating and even pathway of a reaction is possible during in-vivo real time monitoring, and thus people will have a bet- ter understanding about the picture of DNA transcribing, RNA polymerizing, footstep of a motor protein and a protein folding process. Using a scanning tunneling microscope （STM） , we could observe the quantum electrodynamics behavior of a macromolecule more clearly, and further comprehend the inter- action of mechanic, electromagnetic and chemical effects on molecule level, which gives privilege to the designing of highly effective nanodeviees. This article gives a brief introduction of fluorescence la- beling, SPM and optical tools, mainly focused on their practical application on biological macromolecule researching.