Regensburg 2007 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 22: Molecular Machines

BP 22.7: Invited Talk

Thursday, March 29, 2007, 11:30–12:00, H43

From biological towards artificial Molecular Machines — •Thorsten Hugel — Biophysics (E22) and Institute for Medical Engineering (IMETUM), Technical University Munich, Garching, Germany

A thorough understanding of nature's fascinating molecular machines will not only help to develop better drugs, but should also guide the construction of man-made Nanosystems, especially if they have to function in physiological conditions. I will report on latest insights into DNA-packaging by the bacteriophage Phi29 portal import motor [1] and on the mechanism of the molecular chaperone HSP90 [2]. Most experiments were performed on the single molecule level, especially by single-molecule force spectroscopy and single-molecule fluorescence. In addition, I will demonstrate how peptide-based synthetic material is capable of energy conversion at the molecular level and could therefore be the basis for biomimetic molecular machines.

[1] T. Hugel, et al., PLoS Biol 5(3): e59 (2007)

[2] H. Wegele, et al., Rev. Physiol. Biochem. Pharmacol 151, 1 (2004)