Single Molecule Sensing Beyond Fluorescence (Nanostructure Science and Technology)

This book provides an interesting snapshot of recent advances in the field of single molecule nanosensing. The ability to sense single molecules, and to precisely monitor and control their motion is crucial to build a microscopic understanding of key processes in nature, from protein folding to chemical reactions. Recently a range of new techniques have been developed that allow single molecule sensing and control without the use of fluorescent labels. This volume provides an overview of recent advances that take advantage of micro- and nanoscale sensing technologies and provide the prospect for rapid future progress. The book endeavors to provide basic introductions to key techniques, recent research highlights, and an outlook on big challenges in the field and where it will go in future. It is a valuable contribution to the field of single molecule nanosensing and it will be of great interest to graduates and researchers working in this topic.

Warwick Bowen earned a PhD in experimental physics from the Australian National University in 2004 for his work on quantum information technologies. He is currently a professor of physics at the University of Queensland. His research interests center on the development of precise measurement techniques based on quantum science, and their application in areas such as biological imaging, precision metrology, and advanced sensing.

Frank Vollmer obtained his PhD in ‘Physics & Biology’ from the Rockefeller University in NYC, USA, in 2004. He was Rowland Fellow at Harvard University from 2004 to 2009, Scholar-in-Residence at the Wyss Institute at Harvard, Group Leader (untenured Associate Professor) at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Germany, and Instructor in Medicine at Brigham andWomen’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School where he directed a satellite laboratory. Since 2016 he is Professor in Biophysics at the School of Physics, University of Exeter, UK. His research centers on biosensing with optical microcavities.

Reuven Gordon earned his PhD in Physics from Cambridge (UK) in 2003. He holds a Professor position at the University of Victoria (Canada) and he is the former Canada Research Chair of Nanoplasmonics (10 year term). He is Fellow of the Optical Society of America, the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. His research interests are in the area of nanostructured metals for enhanced light-matter interactions.