A LIGHT-POWERED MICROTOOL TO CONTROL FLAGELLAR MOTORS
Published in Materials, Physics, and Protocols & Methods
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An optically driven microstructure for torque measurement in rotary molecular motors
We fabricated a microstructure called a “light-mill” that rotates under optical trapping with a frequency (and torque) determined by the intensity of the trapping laser. We coupled the light-mill to the rotation of a flagellar motor and, by modifying the optical torque, we were able to measure the torque of the motor in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
Any feedback or discussion will be really appreciated!
I am a third-year PhD student in physics. I am studying the bacterial flagellar motor using mainly external optical stimuli such as optical traps and proteorhodopsin excitation. I mainly focus on the biomechanics and bioenergetics of the engine, from torque-speed curves to the speed-pmf ratio.
If you have any ideas for collaborations or postdocs, please contact me!
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