Single cells and intracellular processes studied by a plasmonic-based electrochemical impedance microscopy.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is a crucial tool for the detection and study of various biological substances, from DNA and proteins to viruses and bacteria. It does not require any labelling species, and methods based on it have been developed to study cellular processes (such as cell spreading, adhesion, invasion, toxicology and mobility). However, data have so far lacked spatial information, which is essential for investigating heterogeneous processes and imaging high-throughput microarrays.

Label-free imaging, detection, and mass measurement of single viruses by surface plasmon resonance.

We report on label-free imaging, detection, and mass/size measurement of single viral particles in solution by high-resolution surface plasmon resonance microscopy. Diffraction of propagating plasmon waves along a metal surface by the viral particles creates images of the individual particles, which allow us to detect the binding of the viral particles to surfaces functionalized with and without antibodies. We show that the intensity of the particle image is related to the mass of the particle, from which we determine the mass and mass distribution of influenza viral particles with a mass detection limit of approximately 1 ag (or 0.

Imaging local electrochemical current via surface plasmon resonance.

We demonstrated an electrochemical microscopy technique based on the detection of variations in local electrochemical current from optical signals arising from surface plasmon resonance. It enables local electrochemical measurements (such as voltammetry and amperometry) with high spatial resolution and sensitivity, because the signal varies with current density rather than current. The imaging technique is noninvasive, scanning-free, and fast, and it constitutes a powerful tool for studying heterogeneous surface reactions and for analyzing trace chemicals.