Blog posts

Blog posts

Exploring biomolecular condensate dynamics with the C-Trap^® reveals viscoelastic fluid behavior

In a recent article published in Nature Communications by the group of Huan-Xiang Zhou from the University of Illinois, Dr. Archishman Ghosh and co-workers provided insights into the dynamics of biomolecular condensates. Using LUMICKS’ C-Trap® with a dual-trap optical tweezer configuration they obtained direct evidence showing that phase-separated biopolymer condensates…

Chenlu Yu31 March 2022

C-Trap reveals mechanism of protein-DNA co-condensate formation.

Blog posts

C-Trap^® experiments reveal mechanism of protein-DNA co-condensate formation

In a recent publication in PNAS, researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) and the Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) shed light on how proteins interact with individual DNA molecules to form co-condensates. Using LUMICKS’ C-Trap®, which combines optical tweezers, confocal microscopy, and…

Chenlu Yu16 March 2022

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C-Trap^® experiments reveal how a pioneer transcription factor interacts with DNA to regulate gene expression

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden, Germany, led by Stephan W. Grill, have shed light on the physical nature of the interaction between the pioneer transcription factor Klf4 (Krüppel-like factor 4) and DNA. Using the C-Trap®, which combines optical tweezers, confocal microscopy…

Chenlu Yu23 February 2022

iScience_monocyte mechanics_Alireza-Mashaghi_optical tweezers_acoustic force spectroscopy

Blog posts

Probing monocyte forces with the C-Trap^® and acoustic force spectroscopy reveals CCL2 regulation of monocyte mechanics

In a first-of-its-kind study from Leiden University, Evers et al. have provided insights into the mechanical properties of monocytes – cells crucial in the fight against infection. By combining two of LUMICKS’ single-cell force spectroscopy approaches, C-Trap® optical tweezers and acoustic force spectroscopy (AFS), they were able to determine that…

Chenlu Yu16 February 2022

Lyon, France by Pedro Szekely / flickr.com

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LUMICKS’ C-Trap^® adopted by 8 teams in 3 multidisciplinary labs in France

We are thrilled to announce the recent C-Trap® installation at École Normale Supérieure Lyon, now the first establishment in France to acquire a C-Trap, where it will be utilized by an astonishing 8 teams across 3 departments! The Physics Department (LPENSL), Cell Biology Department (LBMC), and Plant Biology Department (RDP)…

Adrià Ferragut28 January 2022

Blog posts

C-Trap^® experiments contribute to elucidating the role of the helicase HELQ in different mechanisms of DNA repair

A recent paper published in Nature by the group of Dr. Simon Boulton from the Francis Crick Institute enlightens the role played by the helicase HELQ in the context of DNA repair. The researchers took advantage of the combination of microfluidics, optical tweezers, and fluorescence microscopy of the C-Trap® to…

j.yeh23 December 2021

Blog posts

ZAP-S binding prevents the refolding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, inhibits programmed ribosomal frameshifting

A new Nature Communications article sheds light into the mechanisms that govern programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) in SARS-CoV-2 virus, as demonstrated by C-Trap experiments.

j.yeh13 December 2021

Blog posts

ParB sliding to non-specific DNA regions visualized using C-Trap^®

A recent work published in eLife by Francisco de Asis Balaguer et al. shed light on the interaction of ParB with DNA, the consequent DNA condensation, and the role of cytidine triphosphate (CTP) in this process – at a single-molecule level. Using the C-Trap® the researchers investigated the role of…

j.yeh30 November 2021

Top banner image was licensed by Sergey Novikov / Shutterstock.com

Blog posts

Experienced C-Trap^® users in Munich, Germany, acquired second system

The Technical University of Munich, Germany, is now the home of two C-Trap® Optical Tweezers – Fluorescence Microscopes. With this second installation, the renowned lab of Prof. Matthias Rief is taking their dynamic single-molecule research to the next level. Prof. Rief is a pioneer in studying processes involved in protein…

j.yeh24 November 2021

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Using C-Trap^® to unravel different binding modes of architectural DNA-binding proteins at different ionic conditions and DNA conformation

A recent study by Szu‐Ning Lin et al. for the first time provided direct information on the dynamics of the interaction between HU and DNA and how this interaction is influenced by ionic conditions and DNA conformation.

j.yeh9 November 2021

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