RNA Translation

Scientists can use optical tweezers to trap beads, as depicted at the right, and catch a biomolecule, such as RNA, in between. This biomolecule can then be manipulated by moving the beads, while the force and extension are measured. Fluorescently labeled proteins can be visualized with confocal or STED fluorescence microscopy. The combination of optical tweezers with simultaneous multicolor fluorescence measurements allows correlating the mechanical properties of the RNA with the protein activity. With optical tweezers – fluorescence microscopy you can:

• Visualize and directly measure RNA-protein interactions in RNA translation to find the kinetics and exact mechanisms involved at the single-molecule level
• Probe and monitor the activity and states of motor proteins, such as ribosomee, and extract novel information on the single stepping of biomolecular motors and their enzymatic mechanisms with basepair resolution
• Investigate the conformational states of RNA molecules and correlate them with translation control
• Perform experiments under biologically relevant conditions and highly crowded environments and link the in vitro experiment with the in vivo situation
• Study the effect of small molecules and biologics in RNA translation pathways.

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Optical Tweezers and Fluorescence Microscopy

Scientists can use acoustic forces to manipulate, stretch and measure hundreds of single molecules at the same time. Multiple DNA, RNA or protein-coated molecules can be tethered between a bead and a glass surface. Using Acoustic Force Spectroscopy (AFS) technology you can then apply controlled forces on all beads synchronously and probe the mechanical properties of each molecule in parallel. With this highly parallel single molecule method you can:

• Investigate the mechanics of many RNA molecules in the presence of RNA translation proteins and in different buffers, at the single-molecule level
• Gain insights into the dynamics and cooperative behavior of protein binding to the RNA
• Measure the enzymatic activity, kinetics, and stepping mechanisms of hundreds of individual motor proteins in parallel
• Perform experiments under biologically relevant conditions and link the in vitro experiment with the in vivo
• Study the effect of small molecules and biologics in RNA translation pathways.
• Receive large datasets containing many single-molecule measurements from a single experiment.

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Parallel Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy