Dunn:Projects: Difference between revisions
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=<center>Design of new motor proteins</center>= | =<center>Design of new motor proteins</center>= | ||
Artificial motor proteins have wide-ranging potential applications in fields like bottom-up nanofabrication, medical diagnostics, and responsive “smart” materials. [[Image:Dunnprojects2.jpg||thumb|350px| | Artificial motor proteins have wide-ranging potential applications in fields like bottom-up nanofabrication, medical diagnostics, and responsive “smart” materials. [[Image:Dunnprojects2.jpg||thumb|350px|left|Above: A de novo designed switch protein. The lever arm helix (red) packs across the scaffold helices (blue).]]Our group will use iterative rounds of protein design, screening, and single-molecule characterization to generate molecular motors with novel capabilities. Our work in creating novel motor proteins will test the validity and usefulness of the models of protein physics developed in Project 1. | ||
=<center>Measurement of force and motion inside living cells</center>= | =<center>Measurement of force and motion inside living cells</center>= | ||
Almost all the work in understanding how motor proteins work has been done under highly artificial conditions, abstracted from the cellular milieu in which the proteins actually work. [[Image:Dunnprojects3.jpg||thumb|500px|right|Above: We will use advanced particle tracking and optical trapping techniques to observe uncharacterized steps in the myosin force generating mechanism.]]Recent results demonstrate that the internal structure of the cell is pre-tensioned, and that generating, releasing, and sensing this tension is a key element in controlling how the cell reacts to its environment. We will observe single motors at work inside living cells. Our goal will be to understand how the cell generates, detects, and manages tension at the molecular level. The results from this project will be highly relevant to many aspects of human health, including heart disease, cancer metastasis, and the development of stem cell therapies. | Almost all the work in understanding how motor proteins work has been done under highly artificial conditions, abstracted from the cellular milieu in which the proteins actually work. [[Image:Dunnprojects3.jpg||thumb|500px|right|Above: We will use advanced particle tracking and optical trapping techniques to observe uncharacterized steps in the myosin force generating mechanism.]]Recent results demonstrate that the internal structure of the cell is pre-tensioned, and that generating, releasing, and sensing this tension is a key element in controlling how the cell reacts to its environment. We will observe single motors at work inside living cells. Our goal will be to understand how the cell generates, detects, and manages tension at the molecular level. The results from this project will be highly relevant to many aspects of human health, including heart disease, cancer metastasis, and the development of stem cell therapies. | ||
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Revision as of 23:04, 19 July 2009
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