Single-molecule techniques, of which force spectroscopy, fluorescence detection, and nanopore translocation are a few examples, allow one to observe molecular behavior sensitively and in real time. When applied to different biological systems, new insights are acquired and phenomena are observed. I will give several examples of these, including the sensitivity to torque of DNA topoisomerases, their rate reduction upon interaction with chemotherapeutic drugs, and the observation of surprising dynamics in RNA-protein interactions. I will also describe the development of a number of new techniques at the single-molecule level for both in vitro and in vivo applications.
Coffee and cookies before the presentation at 3:15 pm, and refreshments after the presentation will both be served in Room 128.