NER: Mechanically "Tuning" and "Switching" the Dynamics of Molecular Motors

该提案是对NSE，NSF 01-157的回应。 研究小组将开发一个广泛适用的概念框架，以描述DNA聚合物上的张力如何产生DNA聚合酶马达中观察到的“调谐”和“切换”现象。这项工作需要开发的理论模型与电机的构象动力学的外力的相互作用。还需要了解分子各向异性如何与来自非平衡化学反应的能量相结合，使布朗波动偏向于在优选方向上驱动马达。与任何纳米级器件一样，布朗马达通过与热噪声一起工作而不是对抗热噪声而获得巨大好处。除了构建适当的理论框架并展示其在解释单分子实验中的实用性外，该团队希望将从生物马达研究中获得的见解转化为在纳米级执行特定功能的工程马达的设计和控制。这项工作的广泛影响是，它不仅可能揭示了DNA复制在细胞中控制的机制，而且还导致控制分子尺度过程和纳米器件功能的新策略。该项目由数学和物理科学理事会的物理和化学部门以及工程理事会的电气和通信系统部门共同资助。

This proposal was received in response to NSE, NSF 01-157. The research team will develop a broadly applicable conceptual framework to describe how tension on a DNA polymer can produce both the "tuning" and "switching" phenomena observed in DNA polymerase motors. This work entails developing theoretical models for the interaction of external forces with the conformational dynamics of the motor. It is also necessary to understand how molecular anisotropy in combination with the energy from a non-equilibrium chemical reaction biases Brownian fluctuations to drive the motor in a preferred direction. Like any nanoscale device, Brownian motors derive great benefit by working with rather than against thermal noise.In addition to constructing an appropriate theoretical framework and demonstrating its utility for the interpretation of single molecule experiments, the team hopes to translate insight gained from the study of biological motors to the design and control of engineered motors that perform specific functions at the nanoscale. The broad impact of this work is that it may not only shed new light on the mechanism by which DNA replication is controlled in cells but also lead to novel strategies for controlling molecular scale processes and the function of nanodevices.The project is jointly funded by the Divisions of Physics and Chemistry in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate and the Division of Electrical and Communications Systems in the Engineering Directorate.