Event Time: Thursday, March 21, 2024 | 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Event Location:
HENN 202
Add to Calendar 2024-03-21T16:00:00 2024-03-21T17:00:00 Making and measuring macromolecular machines Event Information: Abstract :Molecular machines lie at the heart of biological processes ranging from DNA replication to cell migration. We use single-molecule tracking and manipulation to characterize the structural dynamics of these nanoscale assemblies, and further challenge our understanding by designing and testing structural variants with novel properties that expand the functional range of known biomolecular machines. In the process, we are developing an engineering capacity for molecular motors with tunable and dynamically controllable physical properties, providing a toolkit for precise perturbations of mechanical functions. We have previously developed a family of light-responsive myosin motors, enabling precise control of fast and processive molecular transport in vitro and in living cells. I will describe our ongoing efforts to augment and diversify engineered cytoskeletal motors, including newly developed light-responsive filamentous myosins for control of contractility. I will further discuss our measurements of dynamics and mechanics in CRISPR endonucleases. In the latter work, we have used high-resolution multimodal single-molecule methods to study the process of DNA interrogation by Cas9 and Cas12a.  We have observed intermediate steps in target recognition and probed important effects of DNA torsion on the dynamics and specificity of these nucleoprotein machines.   Bio: Zev Bryant is an Associate Professor of Bioengineering and Structural Biology at Stanford University.  Molecular motors lie at the heart of biological processes from DNA replication to vesicle transport. My laboratory seeks to understand the physical mechanisms by which these nanoscale machines convert chemical energy into mechanical work. We use single molecule tracking and manipulation techniques to observe and perturb substeps in the mechanochemical cycles of individual motors. Protein engineering helps us to explore relationships between molecular structures and mechanical functions. Broad topics of current interest include torque generation by DNA-associated ATPases and mechanical adaptations of unconventional myosins. B.Sc., University of Washington, Biochemistry (1998)Ph.D., UC, Berkeley, Molecular and Cell Biology (2003) Predoctoral Fellowship, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (1999)Harold M. Weintraub Award, FHCRC (2004)Alan Bearden Award, UC, Berkeley (2004)Postdoctoral Fellowship, Helen Hay Whitney Foundation (2005)Director's New Innovator Award, NIH (2008)Pew Scholars Award, Pew Charitable Trusts (2009)   Learn More: Read his Stanford University profile page here See his Stanford Engineering page here   Event Location: HENN 202