Dynamic Guiding of Motor-Driven Microtubules on Electrically Heated, Smart Polymer Tracks

• Biomolecular motor systems are attractive for future nanotechnological devices because they can replace nanofluidics by directed transport. However, the lack of methods to externally control motor-driven transport along complex paths limits their range of applications. Based on a thermo-responsive polymer, we developed a novel technique to guide microtubules propelled by kinesin-1 motors on a planar surface. Using electrically heated gold microstructures, the polymers were locally collapsed, creating dynamically switchable tracks that successfully guided microtubule movement.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Nanoteknik -- Nanoteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Nano-technology -- Nano-technology (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Annan fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Other Physics Topics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Microtubule

kinesin

poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)

directional

guiding

Y-junction

Publikations- och innehållstyp

art (ämneskategori)

ref (ämneskategori)