The aim of this project is to understand the mechanics of motor proteins at the single molecule level and their cooperative organisation for specific cellular motile functions. We will apply a combination of bulk and single molecule technologies to study the mechanical properties of lipid-binding and actin-cross-linking myosin motors. We propose to apply optical tweezers and electron microscopy to study motor regulation, and to develop microfabrication-based /in-vitro/ assays which we will combine with mathematical modelling to investigate the dynamics of acto-myosin ensembles at near physiological geometries and protein concentrations.
DFG Programme
Collaborative Research Centres
