New method to measure close range forces and membrane fusion using dual trap optical tweezers

Optical tweezers are an important tool in the study of biophysical aspect in molecular biology. Optical tweezers used extensively in the study of molecular machine kinetics, protein folding, polymer mechanics etc.Using dual trap optical tweezers provides deep insights on molecular mechanics in the nano-meter and sub-piconewton resolution. In the seminar we will present a new experimental and analysis methodology extending the capabilities of dual trap optical tweezers to the measurement of close range forces.We we show how to use optical tweezers as a rheological probe measuring hydrodynamic interactions and measurement of surface forces including mechanics of membrane fusion.