A Quick and Reproducible Silanization Method by Using Plasma Activation for Hydrophobicity-Based Kinesin Single Molecule Fluorescence-Microscopy Assays.

Single-molecule assays often require functionalized surfaces. One approach for microtubule assays renders surfaces hydrophobic and uses amphiphilic blocking agents. However, the optimal hydrophobicity is unclear, protocols take long, produce toxic waste, and are susceptible to failure.

Polycationic gold nanorods as multipurpose microtubule markers.

Gold nanoparticles are intriguing because of their unique size- and shape-dependent chemical, electronic and optical properties. Gold nanorods (AuNRs) are particularly promising for various sensor applications due to their tip-enhanced plasmonic fields. For biomolecule attachment, AuNRs are often functionalized with proteins.