Dye distance mapping using waveguide evanescent field fluorescence microscopy and its application to cell biology.

Previous studies have measured the distance between cells and the substratum at sites of adhesion via the emission of a fluorescent dye and waveguide methods. Here, we demonstrate a novel approach to measure the position of fluorescent dyes above a waveguide surface in the 10-200 nm distance range throughout an entire area, yielding a 2D dye distance map or a 3D contour plot. The dye is located in a multilayered Langmuir Blodgett (LB) film or in the plasma membrane of a cell.

Waveguide evanescent field scattering microscopy: bacterial biofilms and their sterilization response via UV irradiation.

Waveguide Evanescent Field Scattering (WEFS) microscopy is introduced as a new and simple tool for label-free, high contrast imaging of bacteria and bacteria sensors. Bacterial microcolonies and single bacteria were discriminated both by their bright field images and by their evanescent scattering intensity. By comparing bright field images with WEFS images, the proportion of planktonic: sessile (i.