(273c) Nano-Endoscope for Light Manipulation in Single Cells

Fundamental understanding of cell biology requires development of new instrument for single cell analysis [1,2]. Nanoscale endoscopes are a new class of instruments that can be inserted into cell for minimally invasive intra-cellular measurements [3]. However, most of such devices are too complex, very expensive to fabricate and operate. Here we report a single-cell endoscope reproducibly fabricated with nanoscale precision. It is automatically controlled with nano-manipulator inserting it in precise regions in individual cells. The endoscope can simultaneously deliver excitation light and collect emitted fluorescent signal from labelled cell organelles. Here we present FDTD simulations for optimization for forward and back coupling of light through the endoscope.  Then, we experimentally demonstrate optical signal manipulation using endoscope inserted into cells.

 ADDIN EN.REFLIST 1.         Walling, M.A. and J.R.E. Shepard, "Cellular heterogeneity and live cell arrays". Chemical Society Reviews, 2011. 40(7): p. 4049-4076.

2.         Zheng, X.T. and C.M. Li, "Single cell analysis at the nanoscale". Chemical Society Reviews, 2012. 41(6): p. 2061-2071.

3.         Ladanov, M., S. Cheemalapati, and A. Pyayt, "Optimization of light delivery by a nanowire-based single cell optical endoscope". Optics Express, 2013. 21(23): p. 28001-28009.