JoVE | Peer Reviewed Scientific Video Journal

TOPICAL COLLECTIONS

Advancing Single-Molecule Studies of Proteins

Guest Editor

Prithviraj Nandigrami

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

<p>Dr. Prithviraj Nandigrami is a research fellow at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA. He completed his PhD in computational biophysics from Kent State University, Ohio, USA. He has published eight peer-reviewed articles so far encompassing computational approaches taken to address several crucial biological questions. He has also presented his work at several local, and national scientific conferences including the Biophysical Society Annual Meetings, American Physical Society Meetings, Gordon Research Conferences. Dr. Prithviraj is an active reviewer for several scientific journals including Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, RSC Nanoscale, PLOS ONE, Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal etc. His research interests encompass a broad area of computational biology and computational drug discovery, with particular interest in protein-protein interactions, membrane protein dynamics, protein-nucleic acid interactions, and novel applications of computational biology techniques toward drug discovery. While his training is primarily in computational techniques and methodologies applied to challenging and novel biology questions, he is also equally interested in cutting-edge single-molecule experimental techniques to address some of the most intriguing and difficult biology questions. He is an avid believer that interdisciplinary science is best explored and understood when experimental and computational scientists work in close collaboration and synergy.</p>

Collection Overview

Single-molecule studies of proteins have revolutionized our understanding of protein dynamics, folding, interactions, and function at the molecular level. These state-of-the-art studies provide unprecedented insights into the behavior of individual protein molecules, offering a glimpse into the complex nature of biological processes with unparalleled resolution. Understanding protein behavior at the single-molecule level is crucial for elucidating fundamental biological mechanisms, designing targeted therapeutics, and engineering novel biomaterials.

Despite significant recent advancements in the field, challenges persist regarding experimental techniques, data analysis, and interpretation. These include limitations in sensitivity and resolution, difficulties in handling heterogeneous samples, data analysis complexities, and reproducibility and standardization issues.

This Methods Collection aims to present diverse techniques, protocols, and analytical tools for advancing single-molecule studies of proteins. It will also address challenges related to sample preparation, manipulation, and detection in single-molecule experiments. Additionally, this collection aims to highlight innovative approaches for data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation within this sphere, while exploring emerging technologies and methodologies that hold promise for pushing the boundaries of single-molecule protein research.

This collection will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, students, and professionals interested in the detailed study of proteins at the single-molecule level, offering broad applicability. By unifying intricate protocols, troubleshooting strategies, and experimental setup strategies, this collection aims to empower scientists to overcome technical challenges and advance their research in this exciting field, incorporating cutting-edge technologies.