Nanoscale organization of the pathogen receptor DC-SIGN mapped by single-molecule high-resolution fluorescence microscopy.

DC-SIGN, a C-type lectin exclusively expressed on dendritic cells (DCs), plays an important role in pathogen recognition by binding with high affinity to a large variety of microorganisms. Recent experimental evidence points to a direct relation between the function of DC-SIGN as a viral receptor and its spatial arrangement on the plasma membrane. We have investigated the nanoscale organization of fluorescently labeled DC-SIGN on intact isolated DCs by means of near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) combined with single-molecule detection. Fluorescence spots of different intensity and size have been directly visualized by optical means with a spatial resolution of less than 100 nm. Intensity- and size-distribution histograms of the DC-SIGN fluorescent spots confirm that approximately 80 % of the receptors are organized in nanosized domains randomly distributed on the cell membrane. Intensity-size correlation analysis revealed remarkable heterogeneity in the molecular packing density of the domains. Furthermore, we have mapped the intermolecular organization within a dense cluster by means of sequential NSOM imaging combined with discrete single-molecule photobleaching. In this way we have determined the spatial coordinates of 13 different individual dyes, with a localization accuracy of 6 nm. Our experimental observations are all consistent with an arrangement of DC-SIGN designed to maximize its chances of binding to a wide range of microorganisms. Our data also illustrate the potential of NSOM as an ultrasensitive, high-resolution technique to probe nanometer-scale organization of molecules on the cell membrane.     

Heterodyne interferometric polarization coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (HIP‐CARS) spectroscopy

We demonstrate a new technique that combines polarization sensitivity of the coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) response with heterodyne amplification for background‐free detection of CARS signals. In this heterodyne interferometric polarization CARS (HIP‐CARS), the major drawbacks of polarization and heterodyne CARS are rectified. Using a home‐built picosecond optical parametric oscillator, we are able to address vibrational stretches between 600 and 1650 cm⁻¹ and record continuous high‐resolution Raman equivalent HIP‐CARS spectra. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Visualizing the whispering gallery modes in a cylindrical optical microcavity

Whispering gallery modes in cylindrical integrated optics microcavities have, for what is to our knowledge the first time, been mapped with a photon scanning tunneling microscope. Optical images were obtained with a spatial resolution of 50 nm. By combination of information on the spatial optical distributions with wavelength-dependent measurements, an unexpectedly rich variety of intracavity phenomena, such as polarization conversion and interference of copropagating and counterpropagating modes, could be directly observed. A quantitative comparison of the experimental data with computer simulations results in a comprehensive understanding of the various whispering gallery modes inside the microcavity.     

Quasi interference of perpendicularly polarized guided modes observed with a photon scanning tunneling microscope

The simultaneous detection of TE- as well as TM-polarized light with a photon scanning tunneling microscope leads to a quasi-interference pattern of these mutually perpendicular polarized fields. This interference pattern has been observed in the optical field distribution as a function of both position and wavelength. Comparison of experimental data with simulations confirms the interference of mutually orthogonal fields. This quasi interference is caused by conversion of the linearly polarized light of both modes into elliptically polarized light by a fiber probe.     

The Critical Role Played by the Catalytic Moiety in the Early‐Time Photodynamics of Hydrogen‐Generating Bimetallic Photocatalysts

The effect of the catalytic moiety on the early‐time photodynamics of Ru/M (M=Pt or Pd) bimetallic photocatalysts is studied by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. In comparison to the Ru/Pd photocatalyst described earlier, the Ru/Pt analogue shows complex excited‐state dynamics with three distinct kinetic components ranging from sub‐ps to 10² ps, requiring a more sophisticated photophysical model than that developed earlier for the Ru/Pd complex. In the Pu/Pt photocatalyst, an additional lower‐lying excited state is proposed to quench the hot higher‐lying triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer states. Furthermore, a strong excitation wavelength dependence on the population of excited states is observed for both the Ru/Pt and Ru/Pd complexes, indicating a non‐equilibrated distribution even on the 10² ps timescale. These insights shed light on the significant impact of the catalytic moiety on the fundamental early‐time photophysics of Ru‐based photocatalysts.