Estimating biokinetic parameters for biofilm models

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 39 KB
• Volume: 101
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0006-3592
• DOI: 10.1002/bit.22094

✦ Synopsis

Biomolecular motors, including the linear motor kinesin, have been widely applied as actuators in a variety of nanoengineered systems. A significant challenge within this context involves the ability to start and stop the motors, and logically control their function within hybrid systems. While nature uses complex biochemical pathways to control function, Greene, Trent, and Bachand have engineered kinesin with a unique chemical ''on/off switch'' that provides a simple mechanism for controlling the motors. They demonstrate not only the robust, reversible starting and stopping of kinesin motors over several cycles, but also the broad responsiveness of the switch to different inhibitors. This work represents a critical enabling technology that brings us one step closer to realizing hybrid nanoscale systems that are powered by biomotors.