Single-Molecule Biophysical Chemistry Group

Single-Molecule Biophysics:

Technology development now allows us to individual molecules at work. Conventional biochemistry experiments are restricted to the ensemble average. On the other hand, single-molecule experiments follow individual molecules going through reactions, and provide new and unique information that are averaged out in the conventional experiments.

Specifically, single-molecule experiments provide information about the reaction mechanisms and population distribution. Since individual molecules were followed through the reaction pathways, it is then possible to determine the reaction trajectories, and capture the short-lived, rarely populated reaction intermediates. In addition, by measuring many individual molecules, it is then possible to reconstruct the population distribution and compare it to the average values determined by conventional methods. This is like the census results are more informative than just the average income of the Montreal residents.

Last update: 2005.02.04 @ 12:15 PM