3D nanometer tracking of motile microtubules on reflective surfaces

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Jacob Kerssemakers - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Delft University of Technology (Author)
  • Leonid Ionov - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Author)
  • Ute Queitsch - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Author)
  • Sheila Luna - , ETH Zurich (Author)
  • Henry Hess - , University of Florida (Author)
  • Stefan Diez - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Author)

Abstract

Quantitative, nanometerscale information of dynamic processes in nanobiological transport systems can be obtained using standard microscopy equipment. Biomolecular motor-driven nanodevices are dynamic, soft systems exhibiting rapid energy flow and mechanical motion. Active movement is a key ability of biological nanomachines, and finds applications in a number of hybrid bio-nanodevices. Fluorescently-labeled MTs were deposited onto polystyrene layers of varying thickness on Si chips to calibrate optical system. Rhodamine-labeled MTs were polymerized from bovine brain tubulin in BRB80 buffer with 4 mM MgCl2, I mM Mg-GTP, and 5% dimethylsulfoxide at 37°C. The fluorescence intensity of 30 MT segments of 2-μm length each on a glass surface, finding a standard deviation of less than 15%.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1732-1737
Number of pages6
JournalSmall
Volume5
Issue number15
Publication statusPublished - 3 Aug 2009
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 19367603
ORCID /0000-0002-0750-8515/work/142235569

Keywords

Keywords

  • Fluorescence interference contrast microscopy, Kinesinmotors, Microtubules, Nanometer-tracking

Library keywords