Serena A. J. Watkin, Rachel Z. Bennie, Jenna M. Gilkes, Volker M. Nock, F. Grant Pearce, Renwick C. J. Dobson
{"title":"On the utility of microfluidic systems to study protein interactions: advantages, challenges, and applications","authors":"Serena A. J. Watkin, Rachel Z. Bennie, Jenna M. Gilkes, Volker M. Nock, F. Grant Pearce, Renwick C. J. Dobson","doi":"10.1007/s00249-022-01626-9","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Within the complex milieu of a cell, which comprises a large number of different biomolecules, interactions are critical for function. In this post-reductionist era of biochemical research, the ‘holy grail’ for studying biomolecular interactions is to be able to characterize them in native environments. While there are a limited number of in situ experimental techniques currently available, there is a continuing need to develop new methods for the analysis of biomolecular complexes that can cope with the additional complexities introduced by native-like solutions. We think approaches that use microfluidics allow researchers to access native-like environments for studying biological problems. This review begins with a brief overview of the importance of studying biomolecular interactions and currently available methods for doing so. Basic principles of diffusion and microfluidics are introduced and this is followed by a review of previous studies that have used microfluidics to measure molecular diffusion and a discussion of the advantages and challenges of this technique.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":548,"journal":{"name":"European Biophysics Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2000,"publicationDate":"2022-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00249-022-01626-9.pdf","citationCount":"2","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"European Biophysics Journal","FirstCategoryId":"2","ListUrlMain":"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00249-022-01626-9","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"BIOPHYSICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 2
Abstract
Within the complex milieu of a cell, which comprises a large number of different biomolecules, interactions are critical for function. In this post-reductionist era of biochemical research, the ‘holy grail’ for studying biomolecular interactions is to be able to characterize them in native environments. While there are a limited number of in situ experimental techniques currently available, there is a continuing need to develop new methods for the analysis of biomolecular complexes that can cope with the additional complexities introduced by native-like solutions. We think approaches that use microfluidics allow researchers to access native-like environments for studying biological problems. This review begins with a brief overview of the importance of studying biomolecular interactions and currently available methods for doing so. Basic principles of diffusion and microfluidics are introduced and this is followed by a review of previous studies that have used microfluidics to measure molecular diffusion and a discussion of the advantages and challenges of this technique.
期刊介绍:
The journal publishes papers in the field of biophysics, which is defined as the study of biological phenomena by using physical methods and concepts. Original papers, reviews and Biophysics letters are published. The primary goal of this journal is to advance the understanding of biological structure and function by application of the principles of physical science, and by presenting the work in a biophysical context.
Papers employing a distinctively biophysical approach at all levels of biological organisation will be considered, as will both experimental and theoretical studies. The criteria for acceptance are scientific content, originality and relevance to biological systems of current interest and importance.
Principal areas of interest include:
- Structure and dynamics of biological macromolecules
- Membrane biophysics and ion channels
- Cell biophysics and organisation
- Macromolecular assemblies
- Biophysical methods and instrumentation
- Advanced microscopics
- System dynamics.