Actin filaments assemble and disassemble into networks and bundles which provide the cell with a viscoelastic internal framework. The bundles and networks are amorphous and dynamic. This filament framework maintains the characteristic morphology of a specific cell type and causes the dramatic changes in cell shape necessary for cell motion. I start with a general introduction to the structure and function of actin bundles, and make the case that the cytoskeleton is an excellent example of a cellular "smart system". In response to the external environment, it remodels itself to cause a cell to move or change its shape.
How does the cell build and remodel this framework? What are the rules of assembly, the parts list of proteins involved, and the molecular interactions that hold these structures together? My laboratory is exploring how proteins and actin interact at the molecular level.
II. INITIAL FORAYS INTO MICROANALYSIS OF DNA AND PROTEINS.
The new field of MEMS (Microelectromechanical systems) extends integrated circuit technology from purely electronic devices to micromachines that sense and manipulate the physical world. BioMEMS is an even newer name for miniaturized analytic instruments made of discrete, integrated devices designed to analyze biological molecules. Their potential for massive parallelism matches the massive amounts of biomolecular information needed to identify genes and organisms rapidly and cheaply. I will discuss some approaches and examples of work in this new field.
|
Modified: Jun 24, 1997|
Current events|
Your comments
and inquiries are welcome.