| Research > In-Vitro Studies of Cytoskeletal Proteins | ||
We are currently investigating the self-assembly of biological polymers (protein filaments) into structures on different length-scales using experimental techniques and Molecular Dynamics simulation. Actin is a globular protein which forms part of the cell cytoskeleton. This is a complex, dynamic network of protein filaments with functions in cell structure, cellular transport and motility. We can assemble cytoskeletal proteins such as actin in-vitro and by carrying out structural studies on actin complexes with Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) we hope to learn more about the different functions of actin based structures in the cell.
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  Fluorescently labeled actin in an animal cell Kinematic cell research group – U. Frankfurt |
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Actin bundled with the cross-linking protein a-actinin has been investigated with SAXS – revealing a quasi-square packing arrangement of actin filaments inside the actin bundle. The filament spacing is determined to be ~35nm – approximately the size of the a – actinin molecule. Recent Projects: “Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Actin Bundle Networks: Gels with Morphologically distinct Surface Protein Skin-Layers” L.S. Hirst, R. Pynn, R. Bruinsma and C.R.Safinya, J. CHEM. PHYS. 123, 104902 (2005) PDF "A Titanium/Silicon Microchannel system for Structural and Mechanical Studies of Aligned Protein Self-Assemblies" "Ordering of Filamentous Proteins and Associated Molecules through Confinement in Micro-arrays" "Skin Layer at the Actin-Gel Surface with Flat, Crumpled and Tubular Morphologies" "Structure of Actin Cross-linked with Alpha-actinin: A Network of Bundles"
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