Single Molecule Cell Biology

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Our current understanding of cellular signalling and disease is based on ensemble measurements over a cellular or molecular population. While these measurements have provided valuable information on the molecular circuitry required for cellular function, there is a lack of detail on the spatio-temporal dynamics of signal initiation and propagation at the single molecule and single cellular level. Single particle (molecule or cell) approaches offer the advantage of being able to detect individual processes including rare events that would be lost in an ensemble measurement. Moreover single particle approaches provide dynamic-kinetic information that does not rely on synchronising a population of molecules or cells. In this proposal we aim to build on our combined expertise in EGF-EGFR signalling, biophysics, biosensors, quantum dot nanotechnology and single molecule spectroscopy to learn more about how EGFR cellular signalling works and how it is impaired in cancer. This project will provide basic information that could lead to the design of more effective drugs directed agaisnt this therapeutic target.