Motivated to understand biological structures through the physical forces that animate them, we measure force versus separation between molecules from all classes of bio-matter. The same "osmotic stress" strategy used for forces between molecules allows us to move the parts of single molecules to change the conformation of molecules such as ionic channels. We observe the formation of ordered molecular assemblies, "liquid crystals" of molecules such as collagen, DNA, or lipids. Their energies of assembly can be measured and used to realize the connection between molecular force, organization, and dynamics.

		Section on Molecular Transport Biophysics of Transport through Mesoscopic Ion Channels Sergey M. Bezrukov, Ph.D., Section Head
		Section on Molecular Biophysics Molecular Interacton and Organization V. Adrian Parsegian, Ph.D., Section Head
		Unit on Molecular Recognition and Assembly Intermolecular forces, Recognition, and Dynamics Donald C. Rau, Ph.D., Unit Head

Measurements by osmotic stress: controlling the water content of the macromolecular subphase

Laboratory Chief:
V. Adrian Parsegian, Ph.D.