Moore and More ›› 2025, Vol. 1 ›› Issue (3): 232-240.DOI: 10.1007/s44275-024-00025-w

• Original Article • 上一篇    下一篇

Investigating single-molecule fluorescence quenching and molecular motion dynamics at transparent conductive oxide interfaces

Zihan Pan1,2, Jin Lu1,2   

  1. 1. CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China;
    2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
  • 收稿日期:2024-10-02 修回日期:2024-12-12 接受日期:2024-12-24 出版日期:2025-11-29 发布日期:2025-03-12
  • 通讯作者: Jin Lu,E-mail:luj@nanoctr.cn
  • Zihan Pan received his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Southeast University in 2022. He is currently a master candidate at the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
    Jin Lu is currently a professor at the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China. He received his Ph.D. degree in chemistry from Tsinghua University in 2013 under the joint supervision of Professor Jinghong Li and Dr. Nongjian Tao at Arizona State University. From 2014 to 2021, he worked as a postdoctoral research associate in the laboratory of Dr. Bo Zhang at the University of Washington and the laboratory of Dr. Matthew Lew at Washington University in St. Louis. His research focuses on developing multi-module nanoscopy to uncover fundamental principles governing the chemical reactivity and biological functions of single entities.
  • 基金资助:
    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, No. 22274032).

Investigating single-molecule fluorescence quenching and molecular motion dynamics at transparent conductive oxide interfaces

Zihan Pan1,2, Jin Lu1,2   

  1. 1. CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China;
    2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
  • Received:2024-10-02 Revised:2024-12-12 Accepted:2024-12-24 Online:2025-11-29 Published:2025-03-12
  • Contact: Jin Lu,E-mail:luj@nanoctr.cn
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, No. 22274032).

摘要: The interaction between single-molecule (SM) fluorescence and transparent conductive oxide interface presents unique opportunities for studying molecular motion dynamics and conformational changes. In this study, we investigate the quenching effect of indium-tin oxide (ITO) on SM fluorescence, focusing on the fluorescent dye Cy3 tethered to the 3′-end of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). By examining the brightness variations of single Cy3 molecules, we are able to distinguish Cy3-ssDNA covalently attached onto the ITO surface from the case of adsorption. Additionally, we can evaluate the molecular motion dynamics of single ssDNA molecules of varying lengths and conformations on the ITO surface. We believe that our findings make significant contributions to the understanding of molecular interactions at ITO interfaces and offer valuable insights into the potential applications of novel fluorophore motion- and orientation-based biosensing strategies.

关键词: Single-molecule imaging, ssDNA conformation, Fluorescence quenching, Semiconductor interfaces, Nanometer height

Abstract: The interaction between single-molecule (SM) fluorescence and transparent conductive oxide interface presents unique opportunities for studying molecular motion dynamics and conformational changes. In this study, we investigate the quenching effect of indium-tin oxide (ITO) on SM fluorescence, focusing on the fluorescent dye Cy3 tethered to the 3′-end of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). By examining the brightness variations of single Cy3 molecules, we are able to distinguish Cy3-ssDNA covalently attached onto the ITO surface from the case of adsorption. Additionally, we can evaluate the molecular motion dynamics of single ssDNA molecules of varying lengths and conformations on the ITO surface. We believe that our findings make significant contributions to the understanding of molecular interactions at ITO interfaces and offer valuable insights into the potential applications of novel fluorophore motion- and orientation-based biosensing strategies.

Key words: Single-molecule imaging, ssDNA conformation, Fluorescence quenching, Semiconductor interfaces, Nanometer height