T R Strick et al 2003 Rep. Prog. Phys. 66 1 doi:10.1088/0034-4885/66/1/201
T R Strick1, M-N Dessinges2, G Charvin2, N H Dekker2, J-F Allemand2,3, D Bensimon2 and V Croquette2,4,5
Show affiliationsIn this paper we review the biophysics revealed by stretching single biopolymers. During the last decade various techniques have emerged allowing micromanipulation of single molecules and simultaneous measurements of their elasticity. Using such techniques, it has been possible to investigate some of the interactions playing a role in biology. We shall first review the simplest case of a non-interacting polymer and then present the structural transitions in DNA, RNA and proteins that have been studied by single-molecule techniques. We shall explain how these techniques permit a new approach to the protein folding/unfolding transition.
87.15.La Mechanical properties
87.15.B- Structure of biomolecules
87.15.Cc Folding: thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, models, and pathways
Issue 1 (January 2003)
Received 18 March 2002
Published 13 December 2002
T R Strick et al 2003 Rep. Prog. Phys. 66 1
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