Genomics:GTL

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The Super Imager

The potential is to create compound, multifunctional instruments that individually include many of the following capabilities:

• Mapping of molecular species such as RNA, proteins, machines, and metabolites through the use of fluorescent tags of various kinds
• Multiple excitation and detection wavelengths including both fluorescent and infrared absorption methods
• High-speed 3D imaging
• Nonlinear contrast imaging including second- and third-harmonic generation and coherent Raman scattering
• Lifetime mapping as sensitive probes of local environments
• Rotational correlation mapping for in situ analysis of protein structure and function
• Magnetic resonance imaging with 10-micron– scale analyses of metabolite concentrations and providing data on diffusion properties and local temperatures
• Acoustical imaging of the system’s physical parameters with micron-scale resolution
• Atomic force microscopy (AFM) mapping of structures with added information provided by the controlled-interaction light with sharp metallic AFM tips to obtain optical resolutions of ~20 nm, one-tenth the diffraction limit
• High spatial resolution (nanometer scale) using X-ray and electron microscopies, including the use of special DOE facilities or perhaps the development of laboratory-based X-ray sources for imaging

[Source: Report on the Imaging Workshop for the Genomes to Life Program April 16–18, 2002 (Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy, Nov. 2002); genomicsgtl.energy.gov/technology/imaging/workshop2002/]