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Updated: May 12, 2026

Magnetic Tweezers for the Measurement of Twist and Torque

Magnetic Tweezers for the Measurement of Twist and Torque

Published on: May 19, 2014

Torque measurement at the single-molecule level.

Scott Forth¹, Maxim Y Sheinin, James Inman

¹Laboratory of Chemistry and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, USA. sforth@rockefeller.edu

Annual Review of Biophysics

|April 2, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

New single-molecule techniques now measure torque, revolutionizing the physics of biology. This allows comprehensive analysis of biomolecular mechanics, advancing our understanding of biological processes.

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Last Updated: May 12, 2026

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Area of Science:

Biophysics
Molecular Mechanics
Single-Molecule Studies

Background:

Single-molecule force measurements have transformed biological physics.
Measuring torque and rotation in biomolecules has been experimentally challenging.
Recent advancements enable direct torque measurements on single molecules.

Purpose of the Study:

To review biological processes where torque is mechanically significant.
To describe techniques for probing single-molecule torque.
To detail current measurements and future research directions in torsional analysis.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on single-molecule torque measurement techniques.
Analysis of biological systems involving rotational mechanics.
Compilation of experimental data from recent torsional measurements.

Main Results:

Torque plays a key mechanical role in various biological processes.
New techniques allow direct measurement of torque at the single-molecule level.
Combined force, displacement, and torque data provide a fuller picture of biomolecular mechanics.

Conclusions:

Direct torque measurement is crucial for understanding biomolecular function.
Further research is needed to explore complex biological systems using torsional techniques.
This review highlights the potential of new technologies for advancing biophysics.