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Presenter: Ahmed Al Balushi
Supervisor: Dr. Reuven Gordon

Date: Thu, August 22, 2013
Time: 13:00:00 - 00:00:00
Place: ECS 660

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT:

Single protein studies typically bind a protein to a surface and then look at protein-protein interactions through additional binding events. Recent studies have shown single protein binding sensitivity using plasmonic nanoparticle by monitoring resonance shifts and by photo-thermal transduction to achieve increased sensitivity. Those works, however, have the disadvantage of using one of the binding sites of the protein for the surface-attachment and obscuring/blocking a specific side of the protein by the surface. Optical trapping of single proteins can, in principle, allow for studying protein interactions without the need for surface binding. In this seminar I will show single protein binding, using the biotin-streptavidin model system. Protein binding is confirmed by performing two appropriate control experiments: 1) we trapped biotin-coated PS particles and then flowed in streptavidin with the binding sites being blocked off by mixing it with excess biotin, and 2) we trapped non-functionalized PS particles and then flowed in streptavidin. We believe that this is the first definitive measurement of single protein binding using an optical trapping system, without the need for tethering the protein to a larger particle.