Recent advances in single‐molecule techniques have led to new discoveries in analytical chemistry, biophysics, and medicine. Understanding the structure and behavior of single biomolecules provides a wealth of information compared to studying large ensembles. However, developing single‐molecule techniques is challenging and requires advances in optics, engineering, biology, and chemistry. In this paper, we will review the state of the art in single‐molecule applications with a focus over the last few years of development. The advancements covered will mainly include light‐based in vitro methods, and we will discuss the fundamentals of each with a focus on the platforms themselves. We will also summarize their limitations and current and future applications to the wider biological and chemical fields.
This article is categorized under:
Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Imaging
Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Macromolecular Interactions, Methods
Analytical and Computational Methods > Analytical Methods