Single Molecule Biology

Single molecule techniques, including single molecule fluorescence, optical tweezers, and scanning probe microscopy, allow for the manipulation and measurement of single biological molecules within a live cell or in culture. These approaches, amongst the most exciting tools available in biology today, offer powerful new ways to elucidate biological function, both in terms of revealing mechanisms of action on a molecular level as well as tracking the behaviour of molecules in living cells. This book provides the first complete and authoritative treatment of this rapidly emerging field, explicitly from a biological perspective.The contents are organized by biological system or molecule. Each chapter discusses insights that have been revealed about their mechanism, structure or function by single molecule techniques. Among the topics covered are enzymes, motor proteins, membrane channels, DNA, ribozymes, cytoskeletal proteins, and other key molecules of current interest. An introduction by the editor provides a concise review of key principles and an historical overview. The last section discusses applications in molecular diagnostics and drug discovery.

Introduction and Historical Perspective
Motor Proteins: Linear Motors
Actin and Tubulin-Based Motors
DNA Motors
Rotary Motors
Single Molecule Enzymology
Ribozymes
Ribosomes
Large Complexes
Membrane Proteins
Channels and Pores
Cytoskeleton
DNA Mechanics and Structure
Single Molecules in Cells
Hair Cells
Structure of Single Protein Molecules
Single Molecule Mechanical Properties
Single Molecule Applications: Diagnostics
Single Molecule Applications: Arrays
Single Molecule Applications: Drug Discovery

Single molecule biology is an inherently cross-disciplinary field of research, so this book appeals to workers from a broad range of disciplines, including structural biologists, biophysicists, cell biologists, and biochemists. The target audience is advanced undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates, and researchers.