Blog posts

Blog posts

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

Blog posts

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

Blog posts

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

Blog posts

Insights into the mechanism of Cas12a dynamics using C-Trap^®

A recent publication by Losito et al. from the lab of Prof. David Rueda (Imperial College London), reveals new information on the kinetics and mechanism of Cas12a-DNA interaction.

j.yeh13 October 2021

Blog posts

Dynamic Single-Molecule Workshop at Westlake University

LUMICKS recently held a successful live dynamic single-molecule workshop at Westlake University. Throughout the 2-day event, participants joined our scientists for lectures in which they explored different state-of-the-art single-molecule applications. Each day was also finished with a live DNA mechanics and visualization experiment using the C-Trap® Optical Tweezers – Fluorescence…

Adrià Ferragut6 September 2021

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