Optical encoders are commonly used in macroscopic machines to make precise measurements of distance and velocity by translating motion into a periodic signal. Here we show how Forster resonance energy transfer can be used to implement this technique at the single-molecule scale. We incorporate a series of acceptor dye molecules into self-assembling DNA, and the periodic signal resulting from unhindered motion of a donor-labeled molecular motor provides nanometer-scale resolution in milliseconds.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2842186 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/nl904192m | DOI Listing |
Biochemistry
January 2025
Transcription Regulation Lab, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Third Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India.
Bacterial flagella are complex molecular motors that are essential for locomotion and host colonization. They consist of 30 different proteins expressed in varying stoichiometries. Their assembly and function are governed by a hierarchical transcriptional regulatory network with multiple checkpoints primarily regulated by sigma factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurosci Bull
January 2025
CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
In Silico Pharmacol
January 2025
Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysore, Karnataka 570015 India.
Unlabelled: Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects persons aged 65 and older. It leads to a decline in motor function as a result of the buildup of abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the brain. Existing therapies exhibit restricted effectiveness and undesirable side effects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Mater Chem B
January 2025
Bio-Organic Chemistry, Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Hybrid nano-sized motors with navigation and self-actuation capabilities have emerged as promising nanocarriers for a wide range of delivery, sensing, and diagnostic applications due to their unique ability to achieve controllable locomotion within a complex biological environment such as tissue. However, most current nanomotors typically operate using a single driving mode, whereas propulsion induced by both external and local stimuli could be more beneficial to achieve efficient motility in a biomedical setting. In this work, we present a hybrid nanomotor by functionalizing biodegradable stomatocytes with platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Biol Phys
January 2025
Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100190, China.
Conventional kinesin protein is a prototypical biological molecular motor that can step processively on microtubules towards the plus end by hydrolyzing ATP molecules, performing the biological function of intracellular transports. An important characteristic of the kinesin is the load dependence of its velocity, which is usually measured by using the single molecule optical trapping method with a large-sized bead attached to the motor stalk. Puzzlingly, even for the same kinesin, some experiments showed that the velocity is nearly independent of the forward load whereas others showed that the velocity decreases evidently with the increase in the magnitude of the forward load.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!