Mastering
single-molecule FRET:
A practical handbook for researchers

Understand the fundamentals of smFRET and explore its potential in your own research​

Discover everything you need to understand single-molecule FRET and use it to advance your research

This practical smFRET handbook brings together the core principles, experimental workflows, and analytical strategies that underpin modern single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET). Designed for researchers at every stage – from newcomers to seasoned practitioners – it distils the essential knowledge required to generate high-quality smFRET data and interpret it with confidence.

Inside, you’ll find:

  • Clear, accessible explanations of key concepts such as FRET efficiency, stoichiometry, ALEX, burst analysis, and accurate FRET correction

  • Step-by-step descriptions of how a confocal smFRET instrument works, how single molecules are detected, and how to ensure true single-molecule sensitivity in practice

  • Illustrative examples and case studies showing how smFRET resolves structural heterogeneity, conformational dynamics, and nanoscale distance changes in biomolecules

  • Comparisons to complementary single-molecule and structural biology techniques, helping you understand when – and why – smFRET is the method of choice

  • Insights into powerful analytical approaches, including E–S plotting, burst search strategies, and correction-factor estimation for high-precision distance measurements

Download this guide if you want to:

✓ introduce a simple, solution-based method into your existing workflows that rapidly resolves conformational changes at the single molecule level

✓ complement existing static workflows with dynamic data

✓ unlock deeper functional insights and novel biological questions

smFRET explained in 4 minutes

Watch the essentials before downloading the handbook 👇

What questions does the handbook answer?

  • What is FRET?
  • What are smFRET measurements?
  • What is FRET efficiency and stoichiometry?
  • What is Alternating Laser EXcitation (ALEX)?
  • How does a confocal smFRET instrument work?
  • What does smFRET data look like?
  • What are the key considerations for researchers?
  • What are the applications of smFRET?
  • What is accurate FRET correction and why does it matter?

Want to know more about bringing dynamic single-molecule techniques to your benchtop?

We believe in making innovative techniques, such as freely diffusing smFRET, accessible to all researchers, regardless of their experience or infrastructure. 

Our benchtop tools:

  • Are incredibly easy to use – no intensive training or years of expertise required, no complicated sample prep or instrument alignment needed, and results produced within minutes
  • Are compact enough to use on your bench top, in ambient light – no darkroom, optical table or laser safe room required, fitting easily into your current infrastructure
  • Offer simple workflows that can be implemented with minimal changes to existing workflows
  • Come with highly easy-to-use acquisition and analysis software that combines over 50 years of experience, bringing a ‘professor in a box’ into your lab
  • Publication-ready data in minutes
EI-FLEX pro instrument for single-molecule FRET (smFRET)