World's first confocal light microscope to study chiral molecules
This discovery is a major breakthrough that will allow researchers to analyse previously unexplored parts of biology and chemistry
Advertisement
Scientists from Durham University’s Chemistry Department have developed the world’s first laser scanning confocal microscope that can harness Circularly Polarised Light (CPL) to differentiate left and right-handed molecules, also known as chiral molecules.
pixabay.com
The microscope, known as CPL Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (CPL-LSCM), is the first of its kind that can detect and track luminescent chiral molecules in cells and has extensive potential to be used by the imaging and biomedical research community globally.
CPL Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope can track emissive chiral molecules within live cells and distinguish left-handed molecules from right-handed molecules that can emit bright light, which was not possible before.
Luminescent chiral molecules encode a unique optical fingerprint when emitting Circularly Polarised Light that contains information about the molecular environment, conformation, and binding state. For the first time ever, this information along with previously uncharted parts of biology and chemistry can be accessed and analysed using the novel microscope.
The researchers also demonstrated that CPL-active probes can be activated using biologically favoured low energy two-photon excitation that allows imaging of living tissues up to one millimetre in thickness, with complete CPL spectrum recovery.
Tracking of chiral molecules within live cells permits researchers to study the fundamental interactions between cell, organelles, drugs or introduced chiral molecular probes. This can be a great leap forward in many aspects of chemistry, biology and material science.
Full result of the study has been published in the journal Nature Communications.
Dr Robert Pal, lead researcher of the study, said: “This is a significant milestone both in optical microscopy and circularly polarised luminescence research, and we hope that it will be adapted and used by many researchers world-wide to venture into the uncharted and study fundamental biological processes in a new ‘chiral’ light.”
CPL Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope can simultaneously measure left and right-handed CPL, signifying a step forward in technological capability that opens up new opportunities to study chiral molecular interactions.
Original publication
Other news from the department science
These products might interest you
Most read news
More news from our other portals
See the theme worlds for related content
Topic world Fluorescence microscopy
Fluorescence microscopy has revolutionized life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. With its ability to visualize specific molecules and structures in cells and tissues through fluorescent markers, it offers unique insights at the molecular and cellular level. With its high sensitivity and resolution, fluorescence microscopy facilitates the understanding of complex biological processes and drives innovation in therapy and diagnostics.
Topic world Fluorescence microscopy
Fluorescence microscopy has revolutionized life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. With its ability to visualize specific molecules and structures in cells and tissues through fluorescent markers, it offers unique insights at the molecular and cellular level. With its high sensitivity and resolution, fluorescence microscopy facilitates the understanding of complex biological processes and drives innovation in therapy and diagnostics.
Last viewed contents
Y chromosome of horses reveals the global triumph of Oriental stallions - “Our study shows that MSY analysis can uncover the complex history of horse breeds”
A giant called MIMAS in the cell power plants - Mega protein complex with surprising properties discovered in mitochondria
Surface Measurement Systems Limited - Alperton, Middlesex, United Kingdom
Glycotope Winner at STEP Award 2010
Avita Medical Announces Issuance of a New U.S. Patent for ReCell
Michael Schreiber becomes second Managing Director of LUMITOS - The internationally experienced marketing executive joins LUMITOS from Mettler-Toledo
Advanced Cyclone Systems S A - Porto, Portugal
Nanobiotix Starts Clinical Trial with Lead Product NBTXR3 - A Completely New Cancer Treatment to Be Tested in Patients with Soft Tissue Sarcoma
GlycoVaxyn’s First Clinical Study with Bioconjugate Vaccine Initiated - Study to Evaluate Safety, Reactogenicity and Immunogenicity of Vaccine Against Shigella dysenteriae
Researchers develop molecular traps to target SARS-CoV-2 - Joint effort by UC Riverside and UCLA scientists aims to stop the COVID-19-spreading virus from attacking immune cells