Development of nanoheater to control temperature of single protein molecules

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25440062
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Biophysics
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Yuichi Inoue 東北大学, 多元物質科学研究所, 助教 (50323499)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): ISHIJIMA Akihiko 東北大学, 多元物質科学研究所, 教授 (80301216) ; FUKUOKA Hajime 東北大学, 多元物質科学研究所, 助教 (50447190)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 分子モーター / ナノバイオ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Single carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were developed as a new tool for regulating local temperature and activity of single proteins. Sliding of single actin filaments along single myosin-coated CNTs was observed under fluorescence microscopy. Then one end of the CNT was irradiated by the red laser to produce local temperature jump that induce activation of the motor speed. The speed change was comparable to the temperature jump of 10 K in average. From the measured distribution of temperature along single CNT, calculation of heat transfer with the finite element method suggested the temperature profile around the CNT and high thermal conductivity of ~1540 W/(m.K) in solution. Laser irradiation CNTs could be also used to regulate local change in concentration of reactive oxygen species that induce various diseases including cancer. Therefore, the flexible control of protein function and local targeting on single CNT, will be useful in future applications of CNTs in biophysics and biomedicine.

Free Research Field

生物物理学