CAREER: Optical Single-Molecule Studies of Reaction Pathways of Biological Macromolecules

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In this project, co-funded by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division and the Biomolecular Systems Cluster of the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Prof. Haw Yang of the University of California, Berkeley will conduct experiments to probe the conformational flexibility of biomolecules using single-molecule spectroscopic techniques combined with systematic mutation of a ubiquitous prototype system - - the adenylate kinase family of enzymes. Experimental and theoretical approaches will be combined to gain an understanding of: the molecular motions that lead to a catalytic event, the conformational gating of enzyme reactions, and the free-energy landscapes of enzyme-substrate systems.Besides building a research program that will provide insight to the understanding of the motions of biomolecules, Prof. Yang's research will provide research opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral researchers. Additionally, Prof. Yang will work on developing new web-based materials, new curricular materials, and a research monograph to bring the results of his single-biomolecule research to a larger audience.