Fluorescence correlation microscopy (FCM)-fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) taken into the cell

Abstract

Confocal fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and other confocal spectroscopic techniques are ideally suited for the analysis of molecular interactions at the subcellular level. However, one requires exact positioning in three dimensions within the cell. Our instrument integrates FCS with high sensitivity digital imaging microscopy and high precision positioning. We present first measurements of intracellular FCS, with specification of the instrumental requirements and methods of data analysis. We propose the term fluorescence correlation microscopy (FCM) for this extended modality of FCS.