Force spectroscopy with single bio-molecules

For many biological molecules, force is an important functional and structu ral parameter. With the rapidly growing knowledge about the relation betwee n structure, function, and force, single-molecule force spectroscopy has be come a versatile analytical tool for the structural and functional investig ation of single bio-molecules in their native environments. Within the past year, detailed insights into binding potentials of receptor ligand pairs, protein folding pathways, molecular motors, DNA mechanics and the functioni ng of DNA-binding agents (such as proteins and drugs), as well as the funct ion of molecular motors, have been obtained.