Molecular Motions

Leaders:  Y. Goldman, PHYSIO,  & H. Bau, MEAM
R. Composto, MSE, D. Discher, CBE, H. Hu, MEAM, P. Nelson, PHYS

Schematic depiction (left) of a dielectrophoretically positioned actin filament across a trench between two electrodes. Adjusting the intensity of the electric field controls the filament’s stiffness. Trapped, fluorescently-labeled actin filaments (right) suspended between two electrodes.

This research team applies novel techniques that manipulate molecules and materials at the nanometer scale to understand complex assembly and functional behaviors of molecular motors, cellular cytoplasmic and matrix-proteins and the protein synthetic apparatus.  The effect of attachment to surfaces and comparison with function away from a surface is explicit in these investigations.  Studies span biological polymer synthesis, folding, supramolecular self-assembly, directed energy transduction, and the theory of statistical fluctuations that dominate nanometer-scale physical behavior.

The Molecular Motions group develops novel techniques to manipulate and characterize motion of motor proteins, DNA, and protein folding; study the mechanical and electrical properties of single molecules and the interface between the molecule, the solvent and nearby surfaces; exploit microfluidics and surface engineering to control local environments; and design, construct and test a unique molecular motor-driven device that demonstrates separation, concentration, purification and detection of proteins or nucleic acids

RESEARCH NUGGETS:

• A Novel Method for Investigating the Azimuthal Rotation of Molecular Motors Utilizing Dielectrophoresis and Optical Tweezers
  • Mark E. Arsenault, Haim H. Bau, and Yale E. Goldman
     
• AFM and Multi-Color pol-TIRF Nano-Imaging: Multi-Motor Filament Example
  • Dennis Discher and Yale Goldma
     
• Block Copolymer Nanotemplates for Aligning Actin Filaments
  • R. J. Composto (SEAS) and Y. Goldman (SOM) The University of Pennsylvania
     
• Dynein and Kinesin Intersecting Tau Interfaces on Microtubules
  • Ram Dixit, Jennifer L. Ross, Yale E. Goldman, Erika L. F. Holzbau
     
• Ionic Current During Translocation Through a Nanopore
  • Hui Liu, Shizhi Qian, and Haim H. Bau
     
• The Effect of an Applied Electric Field on Filament Stiffness
  • Mark Arsenault, Hui Zhao, Haim Bau, and Yale Goldman
     

past nuggets :

• Twirling Behavior of Unconventional and Recombinant Myosins
  • John H. Lewis, John F. Beausang, W. Harry (Trey) Schroeder (University of Pennsylvania), Kazu Homma, Mitsuo Ikebe (University of Massachusetts), Yale E. Goldman (University of Pennsylvania)
     
• Myosin VI Walks “Wiggly” on Actin Filaments
  • Yujie Sun, John F. Beausang, W. Harry (Trey) Schroeder III, Yale E. Goldman (University of Pennsylvania)
     
• Staying in the Loop
  • JF Beausang, C Zurla, C Manzo, D Dunlap, L Finzi, and PC Nelson
     
• Effects of Electric Double Layer on Dielectrophoretic Motion of Particles
  • T. N. Swaminathan and Howard H. Hu
     
• Hydrodynamic Focusing and Rapid Mixing
  • J. Grogan and H. H. Bau
     
• POSITIONING OF FILAMENTS TO FACILITATE UNHINDERED MOTILITY EXPEIMENTS
  • M. Arsenault, M. Riegelman, Y. Goldman, & H. H. Bau (University of Pennsylvania) and J. Sellers (NIH)
     
• (ONE-HEADED) MYOSIN Ic KINETICS
  • M. Arsenault, M. Ostap, Y. E. Goldman , and H. H. Bau
     
• Block Copolymer Templates for F actin Organization
  • R. J. Composto & Y. Goldman: NBIC Molecular Motors Subgroup
     
• Twirling of Actin by Myosins II and V
  • John F. Beausang, Harry W. Schroeder, III, James A. Gilmour, Yale E. Goldman
     
• Single Molecule Fluorescence Polarization of Calmodulin in Myosin VI
  • Yujie Sun, Harry W. Schroeder, John F. Beausang, Kazuaki Homma, Mitsuo Ikebe, Yale E. Goldman
     
• Effect of the Double Layer on the Dielectrophoretic Motion of Particles
  • T. N. Swaminathan and Howard H. Hu
     
• Quantitative analysis of tethered particle motion
  • hilip Nelson, John Beausang, University of Pennsylvania. Chiara Zurla, David Dunlap, Laura Finzi, Emory University. Darren Segall, Rob Phillips, Caltech
     
• Single molecule approach for the study of myosin polymerization
  • Alina Popescu, Henry Shuman
    
• Block Copolymer Nanotemplates for Aligning Actin Filaments
  • R. J. Composto and Y. Goldman
     
• Development of Multi-Probe Mechanical and Structural Spectroscopy of Single-Molecules
  • H. Shuman, D. Discher, J. Schotland, Y.E. Goldman
     
• DNA conformational changes Observed via tethered-particle method
  • Nelson: NBIC and NSF DMR
     
• Fluidic Manipulation in Carbon Nanotubes
  • Jennifer R. Lukes
     
• Integration and Control of Molecular Motors
  • J.L. Ross, Y.E. Goldman, E. Holzbaur, M.O. Ostap
     
• Molecular Machines in Living Cells
  • P. Nelson
     
• Single Molecule Dynamics of Unconventional Molecular Motors
  • Y.E. Goldman, J. Beausang, Y. Sun, J. Forkey
     
• Single Molecule Investigations Aided by Microfluidics and Controlled Nano Positioning
  • Haim H. Bau in collaboration with Yale Goldman and Henry Shuman
     
• Structural Dynamics of Ribosome Elongation Factors during Protein Synthesis
  • Y. Wang, F. Vanzi, G. Dempsey, B.S. Cooperman, C. Knudsen, Y.E. Goldman
     
• Optical Trap Studies of Molecular Motors
  • Y. Takagi, Y.E. Goldman, H. Shuman