Math-Sci Seminar

Speaker:  Burak Okumuş, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA

Title:  Explorıng Novel Methods For The Sıngle Molecule Toolkıt: Vesıcle Encapsulatıon And Immobılızatıon
        (ATTENTION TO UNUSUAL DATE)

Date: Wed 27 Sep, 2006
Time: 16:45
Place: Science Building, Room Z42

Abstract:

Tracking single biological molecules via FRET (Fluorescence
Resonance Energy Transfer) provides unique insights into detailed
reaction kinetics and pathways. However, such measurements are
frequently made on macromolecules that are tethered on glass
surfaces where the alterations by the immediate artificial
surrounding cannot totally be ruled out. In order to minimize the
biomolecules’ interaction with the surface, we developed an
alternative method consisting of vesicle encapsulation which offers
a biologically relevant environment for many soluble proteins and
nucleic acids. Moreover, for the betterment of the technique, we
incorporated pores into vesicles which open up the possibility of
using them as ultra-small, bio-mimetic, porous containers.
Experiments carried out inside the porous vesicles unveiled new
biological features. Aside from the encapsulation studies, we
developed a novel assay to detect the SNARE mediated membrane fusion
by using surface attached proteliposomes. Such an approach is not
only able to dissect the intermediates on the membrane fusion
pathway, but also provides a general and bio-friendly platform for
the surface tethering of membrane systems. We anticipate that the
vesicle encapsulation and immobilization methods will greatly expand
the horizon of single-molecule measurements and will transform the
way single-molecule fluorescence measurements are performed in many
laboratories around the world.


Please visit http://home.ku.edu.tr/~sci-math for a schedule of
upcoming Science -Math seminars at Koc University.