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Seminars
Effects of Molecular Coupling on Microscopic Mechanics
Sibani Lisa Biswal
University of California, Berkeley
When: Thursday, March 2, 2006
Time: 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Where: 1070 Duncan Hall
Abstract:
Paramagnetic colloids aggregate into linear chains under the influence of an external magnetic field. I will describe a unique system for chemically linking paramagnetic colloidal particles with flexible linker molecules to create permanently linked magneto-responsive chains that can be used to manipulate fluid flow. The rigidity of the chains was determined by evaluating the conformations of the chains under a variety of forces. In addition, by placing the chains in rotating magnetic fields, miniature stir-bars can be created. The stability, field-alignment, and flexibility of these novel structures will be described.
I will also discuss the development and use of microcantilevers as a platform to study the thermal stability of macromolecules. Microcantilever-based sensors directly translate changes in Gibbs free energy due to macromolecular interactions into mechanical responses. This technique has allowed us to probe DNA melting dynamics, which has provided a better understanding of the stability of DNA complexes on surfaces. Most recently, the thermal denaturation signature of proteins is being used to differentiate a mixture of proteins.
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