SINGLE MOLECULAR DETECTION METHOD USING MULTI-WAVELENGTH TIRF TECHNIQUE AND AN APPARATUS THEREFOR

摘要

A method and apparatus for detecting single molecules by using multi-wavelength TIRF(Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence) technique are provided to detect lights produced from two or more single molecules in real color and real time by inducing TIRF with different wavelength lights produced one or more than two light sources. The method for detecting the single molecules comprises the steps of: (a) irradiating two or more of lights with different wavelengths for TIRF(Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence); (b) inducing the TIRF(Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence) of the irradiated lights in one area by using an optical device; and (c) detecting the lights produced from one or more of single molecules by the induced TIRF(Total Internal Reflection Fuorescence), wherein the two or more of lights with different wavelengths have wave lengths related to the fluorescence die of one or more single molecules to be detected; the step(b) is performed by using a polyhedral prism; and the step(c) is performed with CCD(Charge-Coupled Devices) or PMT(Photomultiplier Tube).