Mechanics of Elastic Biomolecules

Investigations in the rapidly expanding field of nanobiomechanics have produced a wealth of data providing insights into the mechanisms of elasticity of "stretchy" biomolecules. A representative cross-section of elastic biomolecules is covered in this volume, which combines 17 contributions from leading research groups. State-of-the-art molecular mechanics experiments are described dealing with the elasticity of DNA and nucleoprotein complexes, titin and titin-like proteins in muscle, as well as proteins of the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. This book speaks particularly to cell biologists, biophysicists, or bioengineers, and to senior researchers and graduate students alike, who are interested in advances in single-molecule technology (optical tweezers technique, atomic force microscopy), EM imaging, and computer simulation approaches to study nanobiomechanics. The findings discussed here go some way to redefining our view of the role mechanical signals play in cellular functions and have greatly helped improve our understanding of biological elasticity in general.