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DNA Manipulation
....The goal of the study
is to design and fabricate a novel micro-magnetic tweezers
utilizing MEMS technologies to manipulate DNA and actin
filaments. The micromachined magnetic tweezers is capable
of generating three-dimensional translational and rotational
motions of a magnetic bead via a simple current control,
which is enabling stretching and rotation of a single
biomolecule. The key platform technologies including
(1) micro-electromagnet fabrication, (2) localized single
molecules immobilization, (3) micro-force measurement,
(4) microfluidics, will been integrated to form the
manipulation platform of a single molecule and a cell.
....Design and optimization
of the magnetic tweezers will be carried out by numerical
simulation using the finite element analysis software.
To quantify mechanical properties of an individual biomolecule
and a living cell, force calibration will be performed
by using the balance of gravity forces, hydrodynamic
forces, and Brownian motion. Furthermore, verification
of the single molecule biophysics will be carried out
by the theoretical model.
....The novel magnetic
tweezers will be applied to manipulate a single molecule
and investigate physical properties of (1) a single
DNA molecule, (2) a single actin filament, or (3) cell
surfaces with a real-time fashion. This new tool has
the following advantages over its large-scale counterparts
including noninvasive, appropriate force range, excellent
operation, fair measurability, cost-effectiveness, IC
compatibility, and versatility to integrate with other
MEMS devices. The approach could provide a powerful
tool for study of nano-biotechnology and improve our
understanding of biophysical properties including flexibility,
conductivity and thermodynamics.
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