Single-molecule spectroscopy and microscopy

Advances in detector sensitivity and improvements in instrument design have recently provided scientists with tools to probe single molecules with light, and monitor their photophysical properties with exquisite sensitivity and spatial as well as temporal resolution. Spectroscopic and temporal information is used to explore molecular structure, conformational dynamics, local environment and intermolecular interactions of individual species. High-resolution single-molecule microscopy allows these methods to be used for in vitro or in vivo molecular colocalization with nanometer precision. The collected data have generated a wealth of new information in domains ranging from chemistry and biology to solid state physics. (C) 2002 Academic des sciences/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.