Study of the unfolding of proteins by Optical tweezers (OT) (CAT#: STEM-MB-1288-WXH)

Name: Study of the unfolding of proteins by Optical tweezers (OT)
SKU: STEM-MB-1288-WXH
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

Introduction

Protein folding is the physical process by which a protein chain is translated into its native three-dimensional structure, typically a "folded" conformation, by which the protein becomes biologically functional. A protein´s proper folding is required to arrive at a functional and active state. At the end, a protein’s fate is degradation, typically preceded by dissociation of oligomeric complexes and unfolding of the polypeptide chain.

Buy Now

Principle Applications Procedure Materials

Principle

Optical tweezers (originally called single-beam gradient force trap) are scientific instruments that use a highly focused laser beam to hold and move microscopic and sub-microscopic objects like atoms, nanoparticles and droplets, in a manner similar to tweezers. If the object is held in air or vacuum without additional support, it can be called optical levitation.
The laser light provides an attractive or repulsive force (typically on the order of piconewtons), depending on the relative refractive index between particle and surrounding medium. Levitation is possible if the force of the light counters the force of gravity. The trapped particles are usually micron-sized, or even smaller. Dielectric and absorbing particles can be trapped, too.

Applications

• Optical tweezers are used in biology and medicine (for example to grab and hold a single bacterium, a cell like a sperm cell or a blood cell, or a molecule like DNA).
• Nanoengineering and nanochemistry (to study and build materials from single molecules).
• Quantum optics and quantum optomechanics (to study the interaction of single particles with light).