[Optical trap as a tool for studying motor proteins]

The review is concerned with the optical trap method, a modern experimental tool based on the recently discovered ability of light to trap and hold micron and submicron particles in the focused beam. The physical principle of operation of the optical trap and the possibilities of using the tool in studies of the molecular nature of biological motility have been considered. Some studies devoted to the physical characteristics and functioning of single molecules of motor proteins have been analyzed that have been performed with the optical trap method, which allows one to record nanometer displacements and piconewton forces.