Manipulation of single molecules in biology.

The mechanical manipulation of single biological molecules is stimulating new and exciting research in many fields of study, including molecular motor mechanics, biopolymer properties, protein unfolding, receptor-ligand interactions, and more. Some recent highlights include the elucidation of the coupling ratios of myosin and kinesin, the demonstration of oscillatory forces in dynein arms, the determination of the force-velocity relation of RNA polymerase, and the direct mechanical observation of unfolding of single domains of titin and tenascin.