A microfluidic approach for investigating the temperature dependence of biomolecular activity with single-molecule resolution.

ABSTRACT: We present a microfluidic approach for single-molecule studies of the temperature-dependent behavior of biomolecules, using a platform that combines microfluidic sample handling, on-chip temperature control, and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy of surface-immobilized biomolecules. With efficient, rapid, and uniform heating by microheaters and in situ temperature measurements within a microfluidic flowcell by micro temperature sensors, closed-loop, accurate temperature control is achieved. To demonstrate its utility, the temperature-controlled microfluidic flowcell is coupled to a prism-based TIRF microscope and is used to investigate the temperature-dependence of ribosome and transfer RNA (tRNA) structural dynamics that are required for the rapid and precise translo

SUBMITTER: Wang B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3766768 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature