- To investigate the
binding energy landscape of different binding systems such as
biotin/streptavidin and dig/anti-dig
- To improve our
understanding of the mechanical properties of DNA
- To control and
manipulate cells and biological contructions
by the incorporation of magnetic particles into their structure
- To use magnetic
fields as a technique for separation
- Magnetic tweezing of
particles provides a massively parallel method for assessing the
impact of mechanical force on biological systems.
- Forces of up to 250pN
can be exerted on super-paramagnetic beads (1-5 microns in size)
due to the magnetic field gradient of a magnet.
- In contrast to optical
tweezers, there is no sample heating, samples can be rotated
easily, and structures can be assembled.
- All components are
available off the shelf, providing a setup which
is inexpensive and results which are easily reproducable.
- Expertise in
preparation of functionalised surfaces,
the generation of self-assembled structure of magnetic beads and
the evaluation of forces in the piconewton
range.
- Studying the
mechanical properties of DNA leads to a greater understanding of
the forces involved in replication, repair and packing.
- Mapping the energy
landscape of biological bonds provide information in the optimal
way to construct and detect biological sensors.
- Investigation of the
binding energy landscape of biotin/streptavidin and dig/anti-dig
- Study of the
mechanical force required to stretch and unzip DNA
- The use of
self-assembled mangetic crystals for
sensing and directed growth
- Development of
techniques for the magnetic manipulation and imaging of biological
specimens
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