Motor protein motion along microtubules for molecular detection

Abstract

A molecular detection system was realized using the change in the characteristics of the kinesin-coated bead motion along protein-attached microtubules. A hybrid bio/microfluidics device with a microtubule immobilized main channel and protein-injected sub-channels allowed us to compare different protein attachments and several control experiments with the same experimental conditions. As kinesin/microtubule system is an essential component of neurons, the proposed device is a promising tool for diagnostics of several neurodegenerative diseases.

Motor protein based tau protein detection device

“…We have integrated our previously proposed detection method [5] with an on-chip format. The results indicate that the proposed device permits multiplex parallel measurements of tau protein content in different samples.…”

“…We have previously proposed a method to detect tau protein [5]. In this earlier work, we used an indirect detection method based on tau attachment to MTs.…”