Single-molecule reader for high-throughput bioanalysis

We report here the development of a device for single-molecule imaging on large surface areas. A CCD camera operated in time delay and integration mode is synchronized with the movement of a sample scanning stage, enabling continuous data acquisition. Experiments on single fluorescent lipid molecules in supported lipid bilayers and on stained living cells demonstrate the capabilities of the method. Areas of up to 5 x 5 mm(2) were recorded within 11 min at a pixel size of 129 nm.