Biomod/2011/Columbia/MotorProTeam:Background Information

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Our research focuses on applications of nanoscale motors that can initiate transport of cargo on the nano and micro scale. We aim to reach a level of force-multiplication of microtubules, that is, using multiple microtubules in order to create more effective, efficient, and reliable transport systems than the current method.

Microtubules are polymers of α and β tubulin dimers. The actin assembles into protofilaments which then create a hollow cylindrical filaments. In our project, cargo will attach to the microtubule using biotin-streptavidin bonds. They are approximately 25 nm in diameter and have lengths ranging from 25 to 200 nm.

Kinesin is a type of motor protein that can move along microtubules. They are fueled by ATP and "walk" towards the positive end of a microtubule. We had considered using dynein, another motor protein, because if its shorter legs and more rigid structure. Dyenein favors the negative end of the microtubule, but the general "walking" motion is similar to that of kinesin.

Kinesin and dynein on a microtubule (Hess, Bachand, and Vogel, 2004)

An example of microtubule motility on two kinesin motor proteins. Microtubule length not to scale.

An example of microtubule motility on a kinesin coated surface. Microtubule length not to scale.

An artistic representation of the team's proposed transport structure.