Information Theoretical Approach to Single-Molecule Experimental Design and Interpretation

David S. Talaga*
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and BIOMAPS Institute, 610 Taylor Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854
J. Phys. Chem. A, 2006, 110 (31), pp 9743–9757
DOI: 10.1021/jp062192b
Publication Date (Web): July 18, 2006
Copyright © 2006 American Chemical Society
*

 E-mail talaga@rutgers.edu; URL http://talaga.rutgers.edu.

Abstract

We use Shannon's definition of information to develop a theory to predict a photon-counting-based single-molecule experiment's ability to measure the desired property. We treat three phenomena that are commonly measured on single molecules:  spectral fluctuations of a solvatochromic dye; assignment of the azimuthal dipole angle; determination of a distance by fluorescence resonant energy transfer using Förster's theory. We consider the effect of background and other “imperfections” on the measurement through the decrease in information.

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History

  • Published In Issue August 10, 2006
  • Received April 7, 2006
    Revised June 12, 2006

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