Miniaturized Fluorescence Biosensor for Studying Neuronal Events

......................................................................................................................ix CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND OF SINGLE CELL ANALYSIS.....................................1 1.1 Fluorescence and Fluorescence Sensing.........................................................3 1.1.1. Jablonski Diagram.......................................................................4 1.1.2. Fluorescence Quantum Yield and Lifetime.................................6 1.1.3. Fluorescence Spectra...................................................................6 1.1.4. Fluorescence Quenching .............................................................7 1.1.5. Molecular Information from Fluorescence..................................9 1.2 Fluorescence Probes.......................................................................................10 a) Intrinsic or Natural Fluorophores ..............................10 b) Extrinsic Fluorophores ..............................................11 1.3 Fluorescence Detection Techniques for Single Neuron Cell Studies ............12 1.4 Fluorescence Sensors .....................................................................................13 1.4.1. Liposome-Based Sensors ...........................................................16 a) Basics of Liposomes ..................................................16 b) Characterization of Liposomes...................................18