Abstract: A method of imaging single molecules includes exposing a test sample to a probe. The probe includes a first portion that specifically binds to a target molecule and a second portion that is detectable as the result of one or more chemical groups that interact with light at one or more wavelengths. The probe binds to a target molecule to provide a complex. The method also includes exposing the complex to one or more wavelengths of light that interact with the one or more chemical groups; and detecting a result from the interaction of the light and the one or more chemical groups to provide an image of the one or more single molecules. The image possesses a resolution better than 450 nm over a view field area of at least 1×105 ?m2, and the image is obtained in a single detection step without variation of any detection settings.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to imaging single molecules, or one or more collections of single molecules, and methods related to the imaging. In a method aspect, the present invention provides a method of imaging single molecules. The method comprises the steps of: a) exposing a test sample to a probe, wherein the probe comprises a first portion that specifically binds to a target molecule and a second portion that is detectable as the result of one or more chemical groups that interact with light at one or more wavelengths, wherein the probe binds to a target molecule to provide a complex; b) exposing the complex to one or more wavelengths of light that interact with the one or more chemical groups; c) detecting a result from the interacting of one or more wavelengths of light that interact with the one or more chemical groups to provide an image of one or more single molecules.