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Magnetic Nano Actuators for Quantitative Analysis (MANAQA)
Start date: Aug 1, 2012, End date: Jan 31, 2016 PROJECT  FINISHED 

The MANAQA project is a multidisciplinary approach that combines innovative technologies emerging from different fields including nanotechnology, biochemistry, and nanorobotics. The strategy that will be exploited is based on a recently developed 5-DOF magnetic manipulation system combined with an atomic force microscope (AFM) system and functionalized magnetic nanowires. The fusion of these technologies has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of single-molecule manipulation and measurement. Information related to the structure and physical properties of macromolecules (i.e., proteins, polynucleotides) will be obtained. In a typical experiment, a molecule will be regiospecifically attached between a magnetic nanowire and the tip of an AFM cantilever. The extremely small footprint of the magnetic nanowire and the accuracy of a five degree-of-freedom magnetic manipulation system will allow high-resolution and stable force control on the molecule. The mechanical response of the molecule will be monitored using the AFM cantilever. Moreover, the system will be capable of measuring the electrical parameters of the nanowire-molecule hybrid. The success of this proposal will lead to long time-scale, low drift experiments that will provide invaluable insights on mechanisms governing conformational changes in single macromolecules by elucidating protein folding/unfolding/refolding trajectories at a low-force regime. This will contribute to the long-term vision of MANAQA of establishing a biomolecular measurement platform with extended capabilities. MANAQA opens new avenues in disciplines such as biochemistry, pharmacy, and biomedicine. The development of new miniaturized electronic devices within the scope of MANAQA project with single chemical entities integrated as their components will revolutionize the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
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