Abstract

The areas of Optics and Photonics experienced a technological revolution in the last 20 years led by the development of optical communications, which brought new instruments and techniques with great impact in the field of Biophotonics. Today there is an arsenal of Non Linear Optics techniques for non destructive real time observation of cell processes as well as tools for biomechanical properties measurement at the sub-cell resolution level. In this talk we will describe our efforts to integrate a photonic system to perform real time, non destructive, biochemically selective observation of cell processes with sub-cell spatial resolution. This tool includes Optical Tweezers for manipulations and measurement of biomechanical properties, Confocal Raman and Hyper Raman microspectroscopy, single and multiphoton confocal microscopy, FLIM [Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging], FRET [Förster Resonant Energy Transfer], FCS [Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy], CARS [Coherent AntiStokes Raman Scattering] and SHG/THG [Second/Third Harmonic Generation] microscopies. We also will discuss the implementation of super resolution [down to 10 nm] optical techniques through the techniques called STED [Stimulated Emission Depletion] and near field techniques such as tip-enhancement. Some examples of the results obtained through several collaborations are shown in the following figures.

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