Technologies map   Finding guide to terms in these glossaries   Site Map Related glossaries include Cell & tissue technologies   Gene amplification & PCR;   Labels, Signaling & detection; Nanoscience & miniaturization  

attomole: 10^-18 mole. One quintillionth.

femtomole: : 10^-15 mole. One quadrillionth. From the Norwegian for fifteen, approved by the International Committee [on Weights and Measures] in 1961. [OED]

FRET: Labels, Signaling & detection

mole, mol: The mole is the amount of substance of a system which contains as many elementary entities as there are atoms in 0.012 kilogram of carbon 12. 2. When the mole is used, the elementary entities must be specified and may be atoms, molecules, ions, electrons, other particles, or specified groups of such particles. [Bureau International de poids et mesures, SI base units, Système International d'Unités, (International System of Units)] http://www.bipm.fr/enus/3_SI/base_units.html

nano (various definitions): Nanoscience & miniaturization glossary 

nanomole: 10 ^-9 mole.  One billionth. ^{From the Greek for dwarf. One thousand- millionth. Adopted by the Union International [OED]}

nanonewton: Nanoscience & miniaturization glossary 

picomole:  10 ^–12 mole. One trillionth. From the Spanish pico beak, peak, (in phrases) little bit. [OED]

picoonewton: Nanoscience & miniaturization glossary 

quantum dot: Labels, Signaling & detection

sensitivity: Labels, Signaling & detection

single cell : Cell & tissue technologies

single DNA molecule sequencing: Sequencing glossary

Single Electron Devices SED: Nanoscience & Miniaturization

single molecule detection: Recent advances in optical imaging and biomechanical techniques have demonstrated that it is possible to make observations on the dynamic behavior of single molecules, to determine mechanisms of action at the level of an individual molecule, and to explore heterogeneity among different molecules within a population.... Despite the promise of single molecule methods, there are a number of technical challenges that must be met to optimize these studies.

Development of the collateral chemistry and instrumentation required to carry out single molecule studies is essential for progress. New tools and strategies, as well as refinement of current methods, are also needed. Single molecule methods are likely to lead to significant advances in understanding molecular movement, dynamics, and function. ... There is an urgent need to bring chemists into this field ... Traditionally, technical advances that have led to radical changes in the spectroscopic methods have come from physicists supported by agencies other than the NIH. For this field to move forward, it is essential to attract physicists into biology laboratories. In addition to collaborations with physicists, the NIH should focus on new, and creative ways to train physicists to think about single molecule experiments  [NIGMS, NICDC, NHGRI, Single Molecule Detection and Manipulation, Feb. 12, 2001] http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-01-049.html

The question of how to develop such a [nanotechnology] research infrastructure took center stage at a June 25-26 [2000] conference, "Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: Shaping Biomedical Research," held in Bethesda, Md. The National Institutes of Health Bioengineering Consortium, or BECON, sponsored the meeting that conference cochair Lynn Jelinski called a "watershed for the development of biomedical nanotechnology." Scientists from a grab bag of disciplines outlined current nanotechnology research and developed some recommendations for NIH's future involvement. Many of the more than 600 participants left voicing specific needs, such as more rigorous interdisciplinary basic research-- especially in toolmaking -  and further understanding of single molecule and [single] cell biology. [Dave Amber " Researchers Seek Basics Of Nano Scale" Scientist 14 (16): 1, Aug. 21, 2000] http://www.the-scientist.com/yr2000/aug/amber_p1_000821.html

single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy: 

single-pair FRET spFRET: Labels, Signaling & detection

ultrasensitive: Ever lower quantities are becoming detectable. Single molecule and even single atom detection have been reported. Related terms: zeptomole, yoctomole

 yoctomole:   10 ^-24  mole. One septillionth.

zeptomole:  10 ^–21 mole. One-sextillionth.

Compare with prefixes for the largest number: Computers & computing (under peta), exa, zetta, yotta

Bibliography

Alpha glossary index

How to look for other unfamiliar  terms

IUPAC definitions are reprinted with the permission of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.