# Intrinsic-contrast super-resolution imaging of DNA at 2-nm resolution

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $312,050

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
One of the major recent scientific breakthroughs was the emergence of super-resolution optical nanoscopy.
Nanoscale optical imaging currently plays a crucial role in biomedical sciences and has provided invaluable
information about cellular structure and function at the macromolecular scale. However, the potential of this
technology can be immensely enhanced. In this project a new optical technology, spectroscopic intrinsic-contrast
photon-localization optical nanoscopy (SICLON), will be developed that will enable label-free nanoscale imaging
of three-dimensional structure and molecular composition of cells with spatial resolution approaching 2 nm.
SICLON is based on a newly discovered physical effect: most biopolymers, such as DNA, that until recently had
been considered “dark” in the visible regime exhibit stochastic fluorescence switching when illuminated by low-
intensity visible light. The technology could have a profound impact on a wide range of biological research as it
will become possible to do molecular-resolution, whole-cell, optical imaging without the use of labels.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10043496
- **Project number:** 1R01GM139151-01
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Hao F Zhang
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $312,050
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-20 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10043496

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10043496, Intrinsic-contrast super-resolution imaging of DNA at 2-nm resolution (1R01GM139151-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10043496. Licensed CC0.

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