Motor-protein "roundabouts": microtubules moving on kinesin-coated tracks through engineered networks.
Nanotechnology promises to enhance the functionality and sensitivity of miniaturized analytical systems. For example, nanoscale transport systems, which are driven by molecular motors, permit the controlled movement of select cargo along predetermined paths. Such shuttle systems may enhance the detection efficiency of an analytical system or facilitate the controlled assembly of sophisticated nanostructures if transport can be coordinated through complex track networks. This study determines the feasibility of complex track networks using kinesin motor proteins to actively transport microtubule shuttles along micropatterned surfaces. In particular, we describe the performance of three basic structural motifs: (1) crossing junctions, (2) directional sorters, and (3) concentrators. We also designed track networks that successfully sort and collect microtubule shuttles, pointing the way towards lab-on-a-chip devices powered by active transport instead of pressure-driven or electroosmotic flow.
Clemmens
John
J
Department of Bioengineering and Center for Nanotechnology, University of Washington, Box 351721, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. vvogel@u.washington.edu
Hess
Henry
H
Doot
Robert
R
Matzke
Carolyn M
CM
Bachand
George D
GD
Vogel
Viola
V
D000818:Animals; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D016547:Kinesins / Q000737:chemistry*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000737:chemistry*; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins; D016547:Kinesins