Publication

Blog posts

C-Trap^® experiments shed light on the mechanisms that govern Structural Maintenance of Chromosome (SMC) Complexes

In two recent scientific publications, Johannes Stigler and his team from the Gene Center of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany, set out to mechanistically describe the action of the Structural Maintenance of Chromosome (SMC) Complexes using LUMICKS’ C-Trap® technology. By performing dynamic single-molecule experiments coupled with real-time visualization, they were able…

Chenlu Yu9 March 2023

Blog posts

Unlocking the secrets of DNA-binding proteins in nuclear extracts using dynamic single-molecule analysis

For a long time, scientists have been striving to understand how DNA-binding proteins interact with DNA substrates in real time at the single-molecule level, using a variety of imaging techniques and optical platforms. However, for most of these methods scientists always had to choose between studying purified proteins under specific…

Chenlu Yu28 February 2023

Blog posts

C-Trap^® experiments highlight the potential of POLQ inhibitors as BRCA-deficient cancer therapeutics

Double-stranded breaks (DSBs) are among the most serious and lethal types of DNA damage known that can lead to cell death and cancer. POLQ is an enzyme in humans that we know plays a crucial role in DSB repair and is overexpressed in many types of cancer, promoting cancer cell…

Chenlu Yu6 February 2023

Blog posts

Transcription factors and chromatin co-condensate and generate forces that alter genomic structure and function

Researchers led by Yael David and Shixin Liu have published a Nature Communications study describing for the first time the mechanisms underlying the co-condensation between transcription factors and DNA. By performing dynamic single-molecule experiments using LUMICKS’ C-Trap® technology, they were able to prove the physiological importance of phase-separated sub-compartments (co-condensates)…

Chenlu Yu7 December 2022

Blog posts

Dynamic single-molecule experiments expose catch bonds as key to cell strength and flexibility

In a recent Nature Materials publication, scientists show for the first time how certain types of molecular bonds known as “catch bonds” make it possible for cells to combine both mechanical strength to withstand forces and adaptability to change shape and move. By performing dynamic single-molecule experiments with LUMICKS’ C-Trap®,…

Chenlu Yu13 October 2022

Blog posts

C-Trap^® experiments suggest tubulin lattice state dictates tau envelope formation

Tau is an intrinsically disordered microtubule-associated protein (MAP) that helps stabilize microtubules by forming an envelope around them. This stabilizing protein has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, where abnormal chemical changes promote detachment of tau from microtubules and the formation of long threads that eventually lead to…

Chenlu Yu22 September 2022

Blog posts

m-Trap^® allows precise control of biological activities in synthetic membraneless organelles (MLOs) in real time

Until recently, the understanding of membraneless organelles (MLOs) was hindered by the inability to control their bioactivities in a precise manner. In a recent Nature Communications article from the lab of Huang and Sun, University of Hong Kong, researchers were able to overcome this obstacle by producing synthetic MLOs that…

j.yeh23 August 2022

Blog posts

Dynamic single-molecule analysis reveals non-linear stiffening of mitotic chromosomes

In a recent study performed by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the University of Copenhagen, researchers used LUMICKS’ u-Flux™ laminar flow microfluidics system together with optical tweezers and fluorescence microscopy – features combined in LUMICKS’ C-Trap® – to shed light on the structural organization of mitotic chromosomes. When preparing to undergo…

Chenlu Yu17 June 2022

“Avidity Enhancement” As New Strategy for Improving CAR T Therapy for AML

Press releases

Cancer Cell Paper Identifies “Avidity Enhancement” As New Strategy for Improving CAR T Therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The study details a novel strategy for better cancer treatment with CAR T cells for AML. "Avidity Enhancement", increasing cell-cell binding from both the tumor and CAR T cell side, led to a more effective eradication of tumors in mouse models of AML.

j.yeh24 May 2022

Blog posts

C-Trap^® studies reveal GroEL-ES protein folding acceleration mechanism

In a recent Science Advances publication, the group of Sander J. Tans from the AMOLF Institute, The Netherlands, demonstrate for the first time, at the single molecule level, how the molecular chaperone GroEL-ES modulates protein chain collapse and stimulates protein folding. Using LUMICKS’ C-Trap®, they were able to follow and visualize…

Chenlu Yu17 May 2022

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