Electrochemical systems, fluorescence microscopy

The electrochemical systems studied by the fluorescence method are based upon the adsorption of lipid-hke compounds similar to the molecules that make up the cell membrane. The vast literature of methods and a variety of fluoro-phores are available for our use in the study of electrochemical systems. A brief review of the use of fluorescence microscopy in the study of biological systems is presented, because a number of the probes used for staining the biological structures are relevant for the electrochemical work presented. Moreover, the methods used in biological imaging to encourage fluorescence and to improve contrast are relevant for the work on electrode surfaces. 

Electrochemical Systems Studied with Fluorescence Microscopy... 

Miscellaneous Physical Chemistry. A kinetic study has been made of the electrochemical reduction of /8-carotene. The photoelectron quantum yield spectrum and photoelectron microscopy of /3-carotene have been described. Second-order rate constants for electron-transfer reactions of radical cations and anions of six carotenoids have been determined. Electronic energy transfer from O2 to carotenoids, e.g. canthaxanthin [/8,/3-carotene-4,4 -dione (192)], has been demonstrated. Several aspects of the physical chemistry of retinal and related compounds have been reported, including studies of electrochemical reduction, the properties of symmetric and asymmetric retinal bilayers, retinal as a source of 02, and the fluorescence lifetimes of retinal. Calculations have been made of photoisomerization quantum yields for 11-cis-retinal and analogues and of the conversion of even-7r-orbital into odd-TT-orbital systems related to retinylidene Schiff bases. ... 

Biomolecule detectors incorporate a biorecognition device capable of selectively recognizing the analyte of interest in connection with a signal transducer and a suitable output device. Transduction methods include a variety of optical (surface plasmon resonance [SPR], fluorescence), electrochemical (voltammetry, impedance, field effect), mechanical (cantilever, surface probe microscopy), and mass-based systems (quartz crystal microgravimetry [QCM], mass spectrometry). Selection of the appropriate transduction system is partially determined by the nature of information sought (quantitative or qualitative), the analyte (concentration, molecular weight), the sample size, and assay timeline. 

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