C-Trap

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

Press releases

LUMICKS Announces 100^th Customer Placement of its C-Trap^® Product

LUMICKS has announced that it has completed installation and training for its 100th customer sale at the MRC-LMB, marking an important milestone in the company’s growth from a start-up in 2015.

j.yeh14 March 2022

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

Press releases

LUMICKS Unveils Groundbreaking New C-Trap^® Product at Biophysical Society Annual Meeting

New product line C-Trap ‘Edge’ adds important capabilities relevant for surface assays, which are of increasing importance in biophysical and biology research.

j.yeh18 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

Press releases

New Nature Paper Relies on LUMICKS’ C-Trap^® Technology to Understand Functionality of Key Protein Involved with Incorrect DNA Repair of Dangerous Lesions Linked to Cancer Predisposition

C-Trap® technology was used in new research designed to understand the function of a key protein involved in DSB) repair. DSB repair is fundamental in maintaining the genome integrity and when compromised can lead to cancer predisposition.

j.yeh15 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

Press releases

LUMICKS Announces the Installation of its Quadruple C-Trap^® Instrument at Rockefeller University to Expand Fundamental Research of DNA Processes

The C-Trap will support the research of Prof. Michael O’Donnell to investigate the mechanisms of DNA replication. Between O’Donnell and his collaborator Prof Shixin Liu, Rockefeller University will use the C-Trap to unveil the mechanisms of many types of enzymes, such as multi-protein DNA replicating machines of bacteria and eukaryotes.

j.yeh11 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

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