Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Di Huang, Pengcheng Wan, Ling Zhou, Haiqin Guo, Ruihuang Zhao, Jun Chen, Jack Ng, Junjie Du
Summary: The working mechanism of single-beam optical tweezers is thoroughly examined using a newly established method. The conservative and nonconservative components of optical force are calculated for different optical regimes, and the concept of an "optical trapping core" is proposed to better illustrate the stability of the trapping process.
NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yudong Wang, Yuxin Tian, Jingwen Sun, Hong Yang
Summary: The effects of different pH levels and NaCl concentrations on the physicochemical properties of grass carp surimi during washing were investigated. Surimi protein recovery was highest with 0.25% and 0.5% NaCl at pH 5 or 7, while the highest recovery was obtained with 0.25% NaCl at pH 7. Increasing NaCl concentration by more than 1.0% during washing decreased protein recovery and salt-soluble protein content of surimi.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD PROPERTIES
(2023)
Article
Optics
Hao Wu, Chunlei Jiang, Shaopeng Tian, Shangzhao Shao, Hangyu Yue, Xiangyu Cui, Bingkun Gao, Xiufang Wang, Peng Chen
Summary: This paper presents a multifunctional single-fiber optical tweezer for particle trapping and transport. By modifying the structure of the fiber probe and using laser sources with different wavelengths and modes, non-contact trapping and long-distance transport of particles can be achieved.
CHINESE OPTICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Bingkun Gao, Hui Zhong, Bing Yan, LiYang Yue, Yuting Dang, Peng Chen, Chunlei Jiang, Zengbo Wang
Summary: In this paper, a combined single/dual fiber optical trapping system (SD-FOT) is demonstrated, which enables the realization of different trapping modes simultaneously. The system can trap and manipulate at least three particles and allows for in-situ experimental activity and analysis.
OPTICS AND LASERS IN ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Optics
Shuoshuo Zhang, Yuquan Zhang, Yanan Fu, Zheng Zhu, Zhongsheng Man, Jing Bu, Hui Fang, Changjun Min, Xiaocong Yuan
Summary: Single molecule detection and analysis are essential in current biomedical research, and deep-nanoscale hotspots in a plasmonic nanocavity can enhance nonlinear light-matter interactions and molecular Raman scattering. Modulation of optical trapping force and Raman signal at the single molecule level is achieved through nonlinear responses of metallic tip and substrate film. This platform has great potential in various research fields requiring high-precision surface imaging.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Roger Bresoli-Obach, Tetsuhiro Kudo, Boris Louis, Yu-Chia Chang, Ivan G. Scheblykin, Hiroshi Masuhara, Johan Hofkens
Summary: Study found that resonant excitation leads to trapping stiffness enhancement, theoretically enabling single molecule manipulation at room temperature in solution.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sunit Pal, Shreya Banerjee, Erode N. Prabhakaran
Summary: The resistance of helical folds to thermal perturbations is related to the similarity between the nucleating and propagating segments, with the folding process influenced by the template provided by the nucleating segment.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Prasun Kumar, Neil G. Paterson, Jonathan Clayden, Derek N. Woolfson
Summary: The alpha-helix is important in structural biology and protein folding. This study shows that synthetic peptide assemblies can be built from 3(10)-helices, which are less common in natural proteins. The research provides principles and rules for designing in this unexplored region of protein structure.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Deepika Sharma, Roderick Y. H. Lim, Thomas Pfohl, Yasin Ekinci
Summary: The focus of this work is on the development of simple and effective nanofluidic devices for trapping single charged nanoparticles in an aqueous environment. By modifying the surface of the device to change its charge properties and reducing the surface modification time, the study demonstrates the successful enhancement in device performance.
MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maoning Wang, Jieyi Zhang, Adila Adijiang, Xueyan Zhao, Min Tan, Xiaona Xu, Surong Zhang, Wei Zhang, Xinyue Zhang, Haoyu Wang, Dong Xiang
Summary: The manipulation of single molecules at room temperature still faces challenges, but by utilizing scanning tunneling microscope break junction (STM-BJ) techniques and localized surface plasmon (LSP)-assisted trapping, adjustable plasmonic nanogaps can be created and the formation of molecular junctions can be characterized.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Taichi Kurita, Tomoaki Terabayashi, Shunsaku Kimura, Keiji Numata, Hirotaka Uji
Summary: Researchers successfully constructed single PNTs by modifying side-chains of helical peptides and investigated their piezoelectric properties. The piezoelectric response of a single PNT was found to be induced by deformation of their cyclic skeletons and was independent of the bundled structure.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoting Zhao, Yang Shi, Ting Pan, Dengyun Lu, Jianyun Xiong, Baojun Li, Hongbao Xin
Summary: The TOT technique allows for in situ single-cell surgery and manipulation of intracellular organelles without interfering with neighboring cells, enabling targeted gene delivery and providing a new approach for understanding cellular processes at a subcellular level.
Article
Optics
Jisen Wen, Binjie Gao, Guiyuan Zhu, Dadong Liu, Li-Gang Wang
Summary: Researchers proposed and experimentally demonstrated the use of a single vortex-pair beam for two-dimensional optical trapping and manipulation, achieving successful control over microparticles and precise angular manipulation, offering an alternative method for microparticle manipulation.
OPTICS AND LASERS IN ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Optics
Aaron Schapers, Olav Gaute Helleso, Jochen Fick
Summary: Stable and reproducible trapping of 1 μm and 500 nm dielectric particles in air has been achieved using a dual beam optical fiber tweezers with cleaved commercial single mode fibers. The influence of interference fringes from two coherent and counter-propagating trapping beams is investigated by controlling fringe visibility. The experimental results are confirmed by numerical simulations.
OPTICS COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuzhi Shi, Kim Truc Nguyen, Lip Ket Chin, Zhenyu Li, Limin Xiao, Hong Cai, Ruozhen Yu, Wei Huang, Shilun Feng, Peng Huat Yap, Jingquan Liu, Yi Zhang, Ai Qun Liu
Summary: The optofluidic potential well array can stably trap nanoparticles in flow stream, bind them with single viruses and fluorescence quantum dots for swift detection. The method allows for quantification of virus numbers through image processing, paving the way for advanced clinical diagnosis and virus studies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pei-Wen Chen, Neil Billington, Ben Y. Maron, Jeffrey A. Sload, Krishna Chinthalapudi, Sarah M. Heissler
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Physiology
Gregory I. Mashanov, Tatiana A. Nenasheva, Tatiana Mashanova, Catherine Maclachlan, Nigel J. M. Birdsall, Justin E. Molloy
Summary: Recent advances in light microscopy have enabled the visualization of individual biological macromolecules in live cells with nanometer precision and high time resolution. This allows for direct observation of molecular interactions without bulk averaging, leading to new discoveries. While most single-molecule imaging studies have been done in unicellular organisms or cultured mammalian cell lines, there is potential to apply this approach to studying dynamics in different tissue samples.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rong Liu, Neil Billington, Yi Yang, Charles Bond, Amy Hong, Verl Siththanandan, Yasuharu Takagi, James R. Sellers
Summary: The study identified a binding protein for Drosophila myosin-7a called M7BP, which assembles myosin-7a into a motile complex enabling cargo transport and actin cytoskeletal remodeling. This complex also assembles actin bundles and filopodia-like protrusions in living cells.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ananya Tripathi, Charles Bond, James R. Sellers, Neil Billington, Yasuharu Takagi
Summary: Myosin proteins bind and interact with filamentous actin and perform specific functions in cells. The mechanobiology of myosins can be studied through in vitro motility assays, while fluorescence microscopy-based assays can be used to determine parameters such as actin translocation velocities. These techniques are valuable tools for investigating the dynamics of myosins and their role in cellular processes.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicholas A. W. Bell, Philip J. Haynes, Katharina Brunner, Taiana Maia de Oliveira, Maria M. Flocco, Bart W. Hoogenboom, Justin E. Molloy
Summary: PARP1 binds and condenses undamaged DNA by stabilizing DNA loops, and blocks condensation reversal for damaged DNA in the presence of NAD(+), suggesting a mechanism for PARP1 in the organization of chromatin structure.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah M. Heissler, Amandeep S. Arora, Neil Billington, James R. Sellers, Krishna Chinthalapudi
Summary: Using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, we determined the near-atomic resolution structure of smooth muscle myosin-2 in the autoinhibited state, revealing the molecular mechanisms behind its regulation. Our study also identified a previously unknown conformational state in myosin-2 and explained the autoinhibition of its enzyme function in 10S. This research provides insights into the formation, stabilization, and relief of 10S through phosphorylation of the regulatory light chain.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicholas A. W. Bell, Justin E. Molloy
Summary: The paper introduces a simple and fast technique for creating diverse DNA constructs by combining PCR amplicons and synthetic oligonucleotides using golden gate assembly rules. The method allows for high-yield fabrication of torsionally-constrained DNA and various DNA hairpin structures, as well as improving measurement lifetime.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicola Hellen, Gregory I. Mashanov, Ianina L. Conte, Sophie le Trionnaire, Victor Babich, Laura Knipe, Alamin Mohammed, Kazim Ogmen, Silvia Martin-Almedina, Katalin Torok, Matthew J. Hannah, Justin E. Molloy, Tom Carter
Summary: This study investigates the response of P-selectin to vascular damage. By tracking individual P-selectin molecules, it is found that they initially show fast diffusion but later become increasingly restricted in movement, with around 50% of the molecules becoming completely immobile. Manipulation of the molecule's structure or disruption of the adapter complex can alter its mobility. P-selectin spreads rapidly from sites of exocytosis and then becomes less mobile, which is better suited for its anchoring function.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Juha Vahokoski, Lesley J. Calder, Andrea J. Lopez, Justin E. Molloy, Inari Kursula, Peter B. Rosenthal
Summary: In this study, the structure of the malaria parasite motor complex was presented, including the actin 1 and myosin A with its associated light chains. Malaria is a deadly disease that causes significant mortality and economic burden globally, and the parasite responsible for the disease relies on the actomyosin motor complex for its motility and invasion. Understanding the structure of this complex provides insights for drug development targeting this complex.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isa Pires, Yu-Fu Hung, Ulrich Bergmann, Justin E. Molloy, Inari Kursula
Summary: MyoB, a myosin expressed in the invasive stages of Plasmodium falciparum, contributes to red blood cell invasion. It binds to actin and multiple regulatory light chains, exhibits ATPase activity, and moves actin filaments. Its specific localization, high affinity to actin, and ability to sense and apply force may be important for early stages of invasion.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thomas E. Sladewski, Paul C. Campbell, Neil Billington, Alexandra D'Ordine, James L. Cole, Christopher L. de Graffenried
Summary: Many single-celled eukaryotes have complex cell morphologies defined by microtubules. The shape of Trypanosoma brucei is mediated by a parallel array of microtubules. The orphan kinesin KLIF plays a crucial role in cytokinesis by crosslinking microtubules and stabilizing microtubule plus ends, forming organized bundles.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Athinoula Meli, Ann McCormack, Ianina Conte, Qu Chen, James Streetley, Marlene L. Rose, Ruben Bierings, Matthew J. Hannah, Justin E. Molloy, Peter B. Rosenthal, Tom Carter
Summary: Cellular and environmental stresses associated with heart disease and heart failure can alter the storage and secretion of VWF, leading to changes in the morphology and function of Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells. In patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, WPBs exhibit rounded shape with disordered arrangement of VWF tubules, resulting in impaired VWF deployment during secretion.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Kevin S. Cannon, Jose M. Vargas-Muniz, Neil Billington, Ian Seim, Joanne Ekena, James R. Sellers, Amy. S. Gladfelter
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the impact of different combinations of septin proteins on biophysical properties and cell morphogenesis. They discovered that a gene duplication event gave rise to two similar but distinct septin proteins, Cdc11a and Cdc11b, which showed differences in cell polarity defects and filament length.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicholas A. W. Bell, Justin E. Molloy
Summary: In this study, a new experimental method was developed to measure the mechanical stability and interaction kinetics of proteins across the two ends of a DNA double-strand break. It was found that PARP2 forms a stable mechanical link across blunt-end 5;- phosphorylated DSBs and restores torsional continuity. In contrast, PARP1 was not observed to form a bridging interaction across blunt or short overhang DSBs and competed away PARP2 bridge formation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gregory Mashanov, Tatiana A. Nenasheva, Alla Mashanova, Remigijus Lape, Nigel J. M. Birdsall, Lucia Sivilotti, Justin E. Molloy
Summary: The study utilized high-resolution techniques to investigate differences in membrane viscosity, revealing significant variations in membrane mobility across different cell types, with some regions of the membrane showing significantly higher viscosity than others.
FARADAY DISCUSSIONS
(2021)