Abstract

In recent years, we have combined DNA nanotechnology with single-molecule fluorescence to create functional single-molecule devices such as nanoscopic rulers for superresolution microscopy and energy transfer switches1-4. DNA origamis are also used to improve single-molecule detection by fluorescence enhancement with nanoantennas or by single-molecule placement in zeromode waveguides using nanoadapters5, 6. Especially, fluorescence enhancement with self-assembled nanoparticles holds great potential for single-molecule detection at higher concentrations but also for diagnostic applications7. We will discuss recent advancement in fluorescence enhancement and how to disentangle the complex factors that influence the fluorescence of single molecules near metallic nanostructures8, 9.