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Actomyosin in biocomputation

Authors :
Salhotra, Aseem
Salhotra, Aseem
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

There exist complex mathematical problems that are important in real world applications such as weather prediction, molecular modelling, network route optimization and more. In general, such problems are solved using supercomputers with higher computing efficiency but this also consumes high energy along with high production and maintenance cost. Network-based biocomputation (NBC) is an alternate computing approach, now at development stage, that can perform parallel computing in a highly energy efficient manner. Actin and myosin constitute one type of molecular motor system that has been utilized for the development of NBC. These proteins are key components in the sarcomere, the smallest functional unit of muscle and their interactions that underlie muscle contraction are powered by the cellular fuel adenosine triphosphate (ATP). To solve larger complex problems using actin-myosin based NBC, factors such as maintained biological function and longevity of operation are essential for practical relevance. In this thesis, the in vitro motility assay (IVMA) has been used as a central method to study actomyosin function and its operation within NBC devices. In the IVMA, actin filaments are propelled by myosin motors that are immobilized on functionalized surfaces in a flow cell. With the aim to improve motile fraction by reducing the interaction between actin and non-functional motor heads in the IVMA, two known methods were quantitatively compared in paper I, the affinity purification and the blocking actin method. Both approaches significantly improved the motile fraction to above 90% but affinity purification, due to the presence of ATP during incubation, induced significant reduction in sliding velocity, not seen with blocking actin. In paper III, critical parameters in the actomyosin IVMA system were investigated allowing us to extensively improve function and longevity, including: biocompatibility of flow cell components, effects of air exposure with oxygen scaveng

Details

Database :
OAIster
Notes :
English
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1280623691
Document Type :
Electronic Resource