Berlin 2024 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 27: Single Molecule Biophysics

BP 27.12: Talk

Thursday, March 21, 2024, 12:45–13:00, H 0112

Visualizing and quantifying biomolecular interactions with fluorescence optical tweezers. — Roman Renger, •Philipp Rauch, and Nicholas Luzzietti — LUMICKS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Biological processes involving proteins interacting with nucleic acids, membranes or cytoskeletal filaments are key to cell metabolism and hence to life in general. Detailed insights into these processes provide essential information for understanding the molecular basis of physiology and pathological conditions. The next scientific breakthrough consists in direct, real-time observations and measurements of the most fundamental mechanisms and interactions involved in biology. Modern correlative single-molecule technologies offer a powerful opportunity to meet these challenges and to study dynamic protein function and activity in real-time and at unprecedented resolution. Here, we present our efforts to enable discoveries in biology and biophysics by combining optical tweezers with correlative fluorescence microscopy and advanced microfluidics. Our C-Trap allows to observe biomolecules while simultaneously measuring and controlling the generated forces and exposing the biomolecular system to different experimental conditions. We present examples in which our technology has enhanced the understanding of basic biological and biophysical phenomena, ranging from DNA repair to proteins dynamics to intracellular organization. Furthermore, we demonstrate how advances in hybrid single-molecule methods can be turned into an easy-to-use and stable instrument for tackling biophysical questions.

Keywords: Optical Tweezers; Fluorescence microscopy; DNA; Cytoskeleton; Microfluidics