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An Optical Tweezers Platform for Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy in Organic Solvents
Jacob W Black1, Maria Kamenetska1, Ziad Ganim1
1Department of Chemistry, Yale University , 350 Edwards St., New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States.
Nano Letters
|October 4, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed a new single molecule force spectroscopy platform for solution-phase chemistry using optical tweezers. This enables studying molecular interactions in various organic solvents, advancing biophysics and materials science.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biophysics
- Materials science
- Solution-phase chemistry
Background:
- Single molecule observation is crucial but less common in solution-phase chemistry.
- Existing methods lack broad applicability in diverse solvents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an experimental platform for single molecule force spectroscopy in organic solvents.
- To enable broad chemical applicability for studying solution-phase molecular interactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an optical-tweezer-based platform.
- Employed optically trapped core-shell microspheres and synthetic polymer tethers.
- Formed click chemistry linkages in situ for molecular connections.
Main Results:
- Achieved stable optical trapping of core-shell microspheres in ten different organic solvents.
- Successfully observed single molecule link formation in four distinct solvents.
- Demonstrated the utility of optical tweezers for force application in solution.
Conclusions:
- The developed platform provides a versatile tool for single molecule studies in organic solvents.
- This advancement expands the scope of single molecule force spectroscopy to solution-phase chemistry.
- Facilitates deeper understanding of molecular interactions in diverse chemical environments.
