Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2026

11:26
Visualizing Single Molecular Complexes In Vivo Using Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: September 8, 2009
9.0K
Discovering the power of single molecules.
Robert A Forties1, Michelle D Wang1
1Department of Physics, Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Cell
|April 1, 2014
Summary
Mechanical forces on single molecules reveal dynamic processes. Torque
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Single-molecule manipulation techniques have advanced the study of molecular dynamics.
- Understanding mechanical properties is crucial for elucidating biological functions.
- Recent innovations allow for the precise application and measurement of torque.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight recent discoveries in the mechanical manipulation of single biological molecules.
- To emphasize the role of torque in molecular processes.
- To showcase the visualization of detailed molecular motions.
Main Methods:
- Mechanical manipulation of single biological molecules.
- Application and measurement of torque.
- Advanced visualization techniques for molecular motions.
Main Results:
- Revealed highly dynamic and mechanical processes at the molecular level.
- Demonstrated the impact of torque on molecular behaviors.
- Enabled visualization of intricate molecular motions.
Conclusions:
- Mechanical studies, particularly involving torque, offer deep insights into molecular functions.
- Advanced techniques facilitate the investigation of increasingly complex biological systems.
- This highlights significant recent progress in the field.
Related Concept Videos
Electron Behavior
Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles that are attracted to an orbit around the positively-charged nucleus of an atom. They reside in locations that are associated with energy levels called shells and are further organized into sub-shells and orbitals within each shell.Electrons Orbit the NucleusElectrons are found in specific locations outside of the nucleus. The shell in which an electron resides indicates the general energy level of the electron: those closer to the nucleus...
The DNA Helix
Overview
Subatomic Particles
Dalton was only partially correct about the particles that make up matter. All matter is composed of atoms, and atoms are composed of three smaller subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. These three particles account for the mass and the charge of an atom.
Force and Potential Energy in One Dimension
Force can be calculated from the expression for potential energy, which is a function of position. The component of a conservative force, in a particular direction, equals the negative of the derivative of the corresponding potential energy with respect to the displacement in that direction. For regions where potential energy changes rapidly with displacement, the work done and force is maximum. Also, when force is applied along the positive coordinate axis, the potential energy decreases with...
Electron Behavior
Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles attracted to and orbit around the positively-charged nucleus of an atom. They reside in spaces associated with energy levels called shells and are further organized into subshells and orbitals within each shell.
Electrons Orbit the Nucleus
Electrons are found in specific locations outside of the nucleus. The shell in which an electron resides indicates the general energy level of the electron: those closer to the nucleus have less energy,...
Electrons Orbit the Nucleus
Electrons are found in specific locations outside of the nucleus. The shell in which an electron resides indicates the general energy level of the electron: those closer to the nucleus have less energy,...
Thomson's e/m Experiment
In a beam of charged particles created by a heated cathode, the particles move at different speeds. However, many applications need a beam with uniform particle speeds. An arrangement known as a velocity selector uses electric and magnetic fields to pick particles with a particular speed from the beam.
A particle with charge q, speed v, and mass m enters an area from the top, where the magnetic and electric fields are perpendicular both to the particle's motion and to one another. The magnetic...
A particle with charge q, speed v, and mass m enters an area from the top, where the magnetic and electric fields are perpendicular both to the particle's motion and to one another. The magnetic...

