From sequence to function

Bridging single-molecule kinetics and molecular diversity

Review (2026)
Author(s)

A. N. Kapanidis (University of Oxford)

L. Muras (Uppsala University)

K. Sreenivasa (Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft, TU Delft - Applied Sciences)

J. P. Hazra (University of Oxford)

J. van Noort (Universiteit Leiden)

C. Joo (TU Delft - Applied Sciences, TU Delft - Applied Sciences, Ewha Woman’s University)

S. Deindl (Uppsala University)

Research Group
BN/Chirlmin Joo Lab
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adv4503 Final published version
More Info
expand_more
Publication Year
2026
Language
English
Research Group
BN/Chirlmin Joo Lab
Journal title
Science (New York, N.Y.)
Issue number
6784
Volume number
391
Pages (from-to)
457-465
Downloads counter
15
Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Abstract

Biological function is fundamentally determined by nucleic acid and protein sequence. Beyond encoding genetic information, nucleic acids also display complex physicochemical parameters that shape structure, dynamics, and interactions. Understanding how sequence variation sculpts the energetic landscapes underlying these properties requires methods that capture both molecular diversity and dynamic behavior. Single-molecule techniques are ideally suited to this task, but conventional formats remain time and cost intensive. Recent breakthroughs have enabled highly multiplexed approaches for observing molecular dynamics across millions of individual molecules representing thousands of sequences or barcoded entities. Though still in development, these methods have begun to bridge sequence, structure, dynamics, and function at scale, opening new opportunities in drug discovery, molecular diagnostics, and functional genomics.

Files

Science.adv4503.pdf
(pdf | 2.51 Mb)
Taverne
warning

File under embargo until 29-09-2026