Illuminating the highly dynamic on-cell target search of bacteriophage and phage-like particles

Phages are nanomachines composed of a protein coat encapsulating a genome. Since they are metabolically inert, they depend on a bacterial host for replication. They are abundantly present in all kinds of environments, patiently awaiting their target. The nanoscopic mechanical details of how phages or phage-like particles find the correct target...

An FtsZ-centric approach to divide gene-expressing liposomes

The creation of artificial cells with the minimal set of components to exhibit self-maintenance, self-reproducibility and evolvability (in other words, to be considered alive) is one of the most exciting areas within the field of synthetic biology. Such entities, here called minimal cells, are constructed by either the top-down or bottom-up...

Advancing single-molecule instrumentation through nanoscale optics, fabrication, and surface functionalization

This thesis describes developments in the single-molecule instrumentation, in particular optical torque wrench and DNA nanocurtains, with the goal of employing these techniques in studies of biomolecules and biomotors. Importantly, the use of single-crystal rutile titanium dioxide nanocylinders is suggested for optical torque wrench, enabling...

Time-lapse microscopy study of noise in development

Nano- and micro-fabrication for single-molecule biological studies

Heterogeneity is a general feature in biological system. In order to avoid possible misleading effects of ensemble averaging, and to ensure a correct understanding of the biological system, it is very important to look into individuals, such as a single bio-molecule or a single cell, for details. The size of a single bio-molecule/cell typically...