Introduction to Single Molecule Analysis and Computation: The FOCUS Project -- Computer Generated Holographic Beams for the Investigation of the Molecular and Circuit Function -- Super Resolution Fluorescence Optical Microscopy: Targeted and Stochastic Read-Out Approaches -- Superhydrophobic Devices and Molecular Detection -- Tip-Assisted Optical Nanoscopy for Single Molecule Activation and Detection -- DNA as Nano Structuring Element for Design of Functional Devices -- Fast Force Clamp in Optical Tweezers: A Tool to Study the Kinetics of Molecular Reactions -- Investigating Adhesion Proteins by Single Cell Force Spectroscopy -- Photoswitchable Ion Channels and Receptors -- The Use of Light Sensitive Organic Semiconductors to Manipulate Neuronal Activity -- Probing the Lateral Diffusion of Individual Neurotransmitter Receptors. .