Gene expression analysis using single molecule detection

Recent developments of single molecule detection techniques and in particular the introduction of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) led to a number of important applications in biological research. We present a unique approach for the gene expression analysis using dual‐color cross‐correlation. The expression assay is based on gene‐specific hybridization of two dye‐labeled DNA probes to a selected target gene. The counting of the dual‐labeled molecules within the solution allows the quantification of the expressed gene copies in absolute numbers. As detection and analysis by FCS can be performed at the level of single molecules, there is no need for any type of amplification. We describe the gene expression assay and present data demonstrating the capacity of this novel technology. In order to prove the gene specificity, we performed experiments with gene‐depleted total cDNA. The biological application was demonstrated by quantifying selected high, medium and low abundant genes in cDNA prepared from HL‐60 cell

In Memoriam: Ingo Sick (1939-2021)

Ingo Sick, Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. of the University of Basel, one of the founding fathers of the Nuclear Physics European Collaboration Committee and member until 2002, passed away on 30 May 2021, two days after his 82nd birthday. During his postdoctoral period at Stanford University with Nobel Prize-winner Robert Hofstadter, he experienced the beginnings of electron research with the world's best electron accelerator at the time, the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. This domain of research was to remain with him forever