Interrogating Single Molecules Using Force
Author(s)
Arya, Gaurav
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Abstract
Dynamic single molecule force spectroscopy provides a powerful approach to probe the
underlying energy landscape that governs how molecules fold, bind to each other, and undergo
conformational transitions. These sophisticated experiments operate by imposing gradually
increasing forces on single molecules and complexes and recording their force-extension
behavior leading to eventual rupture. An outstanding question in this field is developing models
to recover reliable estimates of the intrinsic energy landscape parameters from such force
measurements. In this talk I will describe the development of new theoretical models for
extracting the activation energy barriers and intrinsic transition rates from single-molecule force
measurements [1,2]. The models go beyond the current state-of-the-art by accounting for both
the finite stiffness of the pulling device and the non-linear stretching of the molecular handles
connecting the molecule to the device. I will end the talk by discussing other biophysical
problems currently being investigated in our laboratory, related to the in vivo structure, function,
and regulation of DNA, chromatin, and chromosomes [3-6].
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Date
2010-10-06
Extent
57:56 minutes
Resource Type
Moving Image
Resource Subtype
Lecture