Single-molecule fluorescence methods for the study of nucleic acids

Single-molecule fluorescence methods and biomechanical tools provide exciti ng new opportunities to probe biochemical processes in unprecedented detail . The detection and spectroscopy of single fluorophores have recently been used to observe conformational changes and biochemical events involving nuc leic acids. A number of fluorescence observables, including localization, q uenching, polarization response and fluorescence resonance energy transfer, have been utilized. An exciting new opportunity of combining fluorescence methods and biomechanical tools to study the structural changes and functio ns of enzymes that participate in nucleic acid metabolism has also arisen.