Modular single-molecule microscopy: new hardware, software, protocols and controls - the smfbox evolved

Abstract

Single-molecule fluorescence approaches have given us direct insight into the heterogeneity and dynamics of many important biomolecular systems. However, due to the complexity of most available hardware and software, these methods remain inaccessible to many scientists. Here we present our approach to bring these powerful methods to the widest possible userbase, establishing a modular system to serve as a platform for a range of single-molecule techniques, to include multicolour confocal and TIRF smFRET, fluorescence (cross) correlation spectroscopy and magnetic tweezers.