How can we obtain tools able to process and exchange information at the molecular scale? In order to do this, it is necessary to activate and detect single molecules under controlled conditions. This book focuses on the generation of biologically-inspired molecular devices. These devices are based on the developments of new photonic tools able to activate and stimulate single molecule machines. Additionally, new light sensitive molecules can be selectively activated by photonic tools. These technological innovations will provide a way to control activation of single light-sensitive molecules, allowing the investigation of molecular computation in a biological environment.

Inhalt

Introduction to Single Molecule Analysis and Computation: The FOCUS Project.- Computer Generated Holographic Beams for the Investigation of the Molecular and Circuit Function.- Super Resolution Fluorescence Optical Microscopy: Targeted and Stochastic Read-Out Approaches.- Superhydrophobic Devices and Molecular Detection.- Tip-Assisted Optical Nanoscopy for Single Molecule Activation and Detection.- DNA as Nano Structuring Element for Design of Functional Devices.- Fast Force Clamp in Optical Tweezers: A Tool to Study the Kinetics of Molecular Reactions.- Investigating Adhesion Proteins by Single Cell Force Spectroscopy.- Photoswitchable Ion Channels and Receptors.- The Use of Light Sensitive Organic Semiconductors to Manipulate Neuronal Activity.- Probing the Lateral Diffusion of Individual Neurotransmitter Receptors.