Study of Molecular transport in Vertically-aligned carbon nanofibre (VACNF) by Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) (CAT#: STEM-MT-0064-WXH)

Name: Study of Molecular transport in Vertically-aligned carbon nanofibre (VACNF) by Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP)
SKU: STEM-MT-0064-WXH
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Introduction

Rapid and selective molecular exchange across a barrier is essential for emulating the properties of biological membranes. Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) are one dimensional carbon objects anchored atop of a solid substrate. Vertically-aligned carbon nanofibre (VACNF) forests have shown great promise as membrane mimics, owing to their mechanical stability, their ease of integration with microfabrication technologies and the ability to tailor their morphology and surface properties.

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Principle Applications Procedure Materials

Principle

Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is a microscopy technique capable of quantifying the mobility of molecules within cells. By exploiting the phenomenon of photobleaching, fluorescent mole- cules within a region of interest can be selectively and irreversibly 'turned off'. It is capable of quantifying the two-dimensional lateral diffusion of a molecularly thin film containing fluorescently labeled probes, or to examine single cells.

Applications

• Characterization of the mobility of individual lipid molecules within a cell membrane.
• Analysis of molecule diffusion within the cell
• Study of protein interaction partners, organelle continuity and protein trafficking.

Procedure

1. An initial fluorescence of fluorescent molecules is measured in the region of interest (ROI).
2. The fluorescent molecules are rapidly photobleached by focusing the high-intensity laser beam onto the defined area.
3. The exchange of bleached molecules with unbleached molecules from the surrounding region is followed over time using a low-intensity laser.