Manipulating Molecules with unprecedented resolution and control - the Lumicks C-trap

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The aim of this proposal is to purchase a Lumicks C-trap to be housed at the University of Nottingham. Here it will be run as a facility instrument delivering a unique and much needed capability to Scientists based in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire (see letters of support from the Universities of Leicester, Loughborough, Sheffield, and Nottingham Trent). The C-trap is unique in its ability to manipulate (bend, move and stretch) single molecules, such as DNA and proteins, whilst allowing simultaneous imaging of these molecules. It is a highly specialised instrument for studying the dynamics of individual single molecules. This is achieved by combining optical trapping, micro-fluidics and microscopy (fluorescence or label-free). It will be used to study a variety of biological processes such as cytoskeletal dynamics, DNA repair mechanisms, intracellular transport, chromosome structure, biomaterials and the assembly and disassembly of protein droplets. At Nottingham we have identified three initial projects we plan to target. These are i) measurement of the biophysical properties of the chromosome periphery; ii) how the cytoskeleton orchestrates cell division and allows cells to withstand force and iii) the role of DNA repair mechanisms in cancer biology. Each of these projects will be enhanced by access to a C-trap as this instrument will permit experiments that would not be otherwise possible.The unique capabilities and the wide range of possible applications mean this instrument opens unexplored possibilities for researchers working on biological questions to understand the foundations of life and health. It is therefore vital that Nottingham and surrounding regions have access to this transformative technology to expand the unique knowledge and capability of researchers in the region to deliver world leading bioscience research.