• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

  • About
    • About AAAS
    • About NSF
    • About the Conference
    • Project Team
    • Advisory Board
  • Conference
  • Abstracts
    • Abstract Submission Process
    • Abstract Submission Guidelines
    • Presentation Guidelines
  • Travel Awards
  • Resources
    • Award Winners
    • Code of Conduct-AAAS Meetings
    • Code of Conduct-ERN Conference
    • Conference Agenda
    • Conference Materials
    • Conference Program Books
    • ERN Photo Galleries
    • Events | Opportunities
    • Exhibitor Info
    • HBCU-UP PI/PD Meeting
    • In the News
    • NSF Harassment Policy
    • Plenary Session Videos
    • Professional Development
    • Science Careers Handbook
    • Additional Resources
    • Archives
  • Engage
    • Webinars
    • 2023 ERN Recap Video
    • ERN 10-Year Anniversary Videos
    • Plenary Session Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Login

The Collective Dynamics of Processive and Non-Processive Motors

Graduate #84
Discipline: Physics
Subcategory: Physics (not Nanoscience)

Angela V. Berry - Hampton University
Co-Author(s): Kun-Ta Wu, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA; Pooja Chandrakar, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA; Zvonimir Dogic, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA



Kinesins are molecular motor proteins that move along microtubules in eukaryotic cells. Kinesin 401 is a processive molecular motor that has two legs walking on a microtubule, whereas Kinesin 365 is a non-processive motor that has one leg, therefore hopping on a microtubule. When assembled into kinesin clusters, these motors convert ATP into ADP, driving microtubule network. Kinesins promote intracellular activity, but the role of their nano-scale stepping behaviors in micron-scale network activity remains unclear. Here, we synthesize an active gel, a network comprised of crosslinked microtubules driven by molecular motor clusters. The clusters are comprised of kinesin motors crosslinked by streptavidin. We measured the network activity driven by kinesins 401 and 365 when their concentration and the streptavidin concentration were varied. The results showed that K365 optimized microtubule activity. Our finding not only paves the way to outlining fundamental stepping behaviors of non-processive motors, but also sheds light on designing molecular motors that promote intracellular activity.

Not Submitted

Funder Acknowledgement(s): NSF MRSEC DMR 1420382

Faculty Advisor: Kun-Ta Wu, kwu@wpi.edu

Role: I conducted all of this research.

Sidebar

Abstract Locators

  • Undergraduate Abstract Locator
  • Graduate Abstract Locator

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

AAAS

1200 New York Ave, NW
Washington,DC 20005
202-326-6400
Contact Us
About Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The World’s Largest General Scientific Society

Useful Links

  • Membership
  • Careers at AAAS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Focus Areas

  • Science Education
  • Science Diplomacy
  • Public Engagement
  • Careers in STEM

Focus Areas

  • Shaping Science Policy
  • Advocacy for Evidence
  • R&D Budget Analysis
  • Human Rights, Ethics & Law

© 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science