Biomod/2011/Columbia/MotorProTeam:Background Information: Difference between revisions
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Kinesin is a type of motor protein that can move along microtubules. They are fueled by ATP and "walk" towards the positive end of a microtubule. | Kinesin is a type of motor protein that can move along microtubules. They are fueled by ATP and "walk" towards the positive end of a microtubule. | ||
[[Image:Columbia_Biomod_kinesinmt_explanation.gif|thumb|center|alt=test|An example of microtubule motility on two kinesin motor proteins. Microtubule length not to scale.]] | |||
[[Image:Columbia_Biomod_Kinesin_surface.gif|thumb|center|alt=test|An example of microtubule motility on a kinesin coated surface. Microtubule length not to scale.]] | |||
[[Image:Columbia_Biomod_Structure.gif|thumb|center|alt=test|An artistic representation of the team's proposed transport structure.]] |
Revision as of 13:11, 20 June 2011
Our research focuses on applications of nanoscale motors that can initiate transport of cargo on the nano and micro scale. We aim to reach a level of force-multiplication of microtubules, that is, using multiple microtubules in order to create more effective, efficient, and reliable transport systems than the current method.
Microtubules are polymers of α and β tubulin dimers. The actin assembles into protofilaments which then create a hollow cylindrical filaments. In our project, cargo will attach to the microtubule using biotin-streptavidin bonds.
Kinesin is a type of motor protein that can move along microtubules. They are fueled by ATP and "walk" towards the positive end of a microtubule.