Nanoagents and advanced cell imaging

Seeing is Believing”. The development of the microscope has been instrumental to the understanding of life. The goal of this research area is to combine advanced microscopic methods providing unprecedented sensitivity along with high spatial localisation and temporal resolution with highly fluorescent, stable and functional nanoscopic agents, and to apply these novel methods inside living cells. Using various fluorescence methods in conjunction with live-cell imaging, single molecules (e.g. proteins) and single particles (e.g. viruses) can be followed in real time, giving an unprecedented insight into the function and dynamics of biomolecular complexes. Currently used markers are mostly based on fluorescent protein fusions, which have enabled scientists to analyse cellular processes by live cell microscopy. But with their widespread application also their limitations have become apparent. In particular their spectral properties limit the temporal and spatial resolution of microscopic analyses. In order to overcome these obstacles, optically addressable multi-functional hybrid nanosystems will be designed and characterized and will be used for monitoring, sensing and manipulating molecular events inside living cells. Nanoscale building blocks, such as metal nanoparticles, semiconductor nanocrystals, dendrimer and polymer molecules, fullerenes, proteins, oligonucleotides, and other designable macro- and biomolecules will be used for the controlled three-dimensional assembly of such monitoring, sensing and manipulating nano-agents. Nanoscale in vivo manipulation will be triggered optically from outside.