Evaluation of collective motion of microtubules on nano-patterned kinesins

• Project/Area Number: 21K18053
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 90110:Biomedical engineering-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: ファルハナ タマンナ・イシュラット 京都大学, 工学研究科, 特定研究員 (40830138)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2026-03-31
• Project Status: Granted (Fiscal Year 2021)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,160,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥960,000); Fiscal Year 2025: ¥520,000 (Direct Cost: ¥400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥120,000); Fiscal Year 2024: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000); Fiscal Year 2023: ¥780,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥180,000); Fiscal Year 2022: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000); Fiscal Year 2021: ¥780,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥180,000)
• Keywords: kinesin / kinesin patterning / kinesin number / Collective motion / biomolecular device

Outline of Research at the Start

Using a bottom-up approach in the nano-fabrication process, the kinesin motor-proteins will be patterned using gold nano-pillars fabricate on SiO2 by specifying the kinesin number and spacing. The aim is to investigate the single filament motility, as well the collective motion of microtubules, and evaluate the effect of kinesin processivity, microtubules’ rigidity, ionic strength, and solution viscosity by defining motor numbers. We expect that this detailed study will also help us to understand the underlying ordering mechanism exhibited by other autonomous systems in nature.