Lecture
L(SB)2 Seminar: Using single-molecule optical tweezers to study membrane protein stability, interactions and dynamics
- Date
- Thursday 15 May 2025
- Time
- Location
-
Gorlaeus Building
Einsteinweg 55
2333 CC Leiden - Room
- BE.0.18
Abstract
Optical tweezers offer a powerful method to probe the dynamic behavior and mechanical properties of membrane proteins at the single-molecule level. In our recent work, we applied this technique to investigate the interdomain interactions of the osmoregulatory ATP-binding cassette transporter OpuA from Lactococcus lactis in lipid nanodiscs, enabling real‐time, high-resolution measurements of its functionally relevant motions. In this presentation, I will first outline the optical tweezers approach and discuss its unique advantages in capturing subtle conformational changes in transmembrane proteins within native-like environments. I will then discuss how optical tweezers can be broadly applied to reveal the mechanical underpinnings of the functional cycles of transmembrane proteins. These insights are poised to deepen our understanding of membrane protein dynamics and support the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting these essential biomolecules.
The L(SB)2 seminars is a new seminar series that aims to bring together all researchers in Leiden that are interested in biophysics and structural biology. L(SB)2, the Leiden Seminars in Biophysics and Structural Biology, takes place monthly and combines presentations of talented PhD students from Leiden University with talks of PIs from other Dutch or international universities. We hope to see many of you there!