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Biomedical Research

   Cystic Fibrosis

   Fibrin And Blood Clotting

   Gene Therapy and Viruses

   DNA

   Chromatin

   Cell Division

   Bacterial Motility

   Molecular Motors

   Other




Biomedical Research

The majority of the Resource is directed toward biomedical research, focusing on these specific areas:

Cystic Fibrosis
This collaboration is applying the new capabilities afforded by nanometer-resolution 3D force microscope to two unsolved biophysical problems in mucociliary clearance: the behavior and fate of periciliary liquid during mucus transport, and the effects of volume-depletion on the viscoelastic properties of mucus.

Fibrin and Blood Clotting
Fibrin fibers are the major structural component of blood clots. Determining the mechanical properties of these fibers will provide new insights into the wound healing process and will advance our understanding of heart attacks and strokes. The nanoManipulator interface is used to locate the modification site, and a polylinevirtual tip is used to effect the modification.

Gene Therapy and Viruses
The Resource has been used to investigate two different virus families, tobacco-mosaic virus (TMV) and adenovirus. The TMV studies have concluded, but illustrate the usefulness of manipulation and force measuremnets for viruses on surfaces. The adenovirus studies are ongoing and investigate shape, stiffness, adhesion, and rolling behaviors.

DNA

Chromatin

Cell Division

Bacterial Motility

Molecular Motors