Zeitschrift für Nanomedizin und Nanotechnologie

Abstrakt

Analyses of Single Molecule Torque and Twist Precision using Nanotechnology

Mina Lee

Unprecedented insights into the structure, purpose, interactions, and mechanical characteristics of biological macromolecules have been made possible by single-molecule manipulation techniques. Techniques that permit rotation and torque measurements, such the optical torque wrench (OTW) and several variations of magnetic (torque) tweezers have recently been added to the single-molecule toolset. Although single-molecule approaches' systematic evaluations of their location and force precision have garnered a lot of attention, they have received significantly less attention when it comes to their angle and torque precision. Here, we suggest using the Allan deviation as a technique to systematically quantify the precision of angle and torque measurements made on single molecules. We discover that both methods can produce torque accuracy when we apply the Allan variance method to experimental data from our implementations of (electro) magnetic torque tweezers and an OTW. Superior to 1 pnm. The OTW offers the best torque precision for measurement periods (10 s), after which drift becomes a limiting issue. The OTW is capable of measuring torque on (sub) millisecond timescales. Magnetic torque tweezers, with their exceptional stability, offer the finest torque precision for extended measuring durations. Utilizing the Allan deviation provides a tool to optimise measurement protocols for a specific instrument and application and allows for critical evaluations of the torque precision as a function of measurement duration across different measurement modalities.