Models for recovering the energy landscape of conformational transitions from single-molecule pulling experiments

Abstract

Single-molecule force spectroscopy is a powerful experimental technique for probing intermolecular forces and conformational transitions of individual molecules. This technique involves measuring the mechanical response of a molecule subjected to a constant or time-varying force. Statistical mechanics has played a pivotal role in interpreting force measurements in terms of the underlying kinetics and energy landscape of the molecular transition being studied. Here, we provide a didactic review of various statistical–mechanical models used for analysing these measurements, emphasising the theoretical ideas and assumptions used in deriving these models.

Keywords:

• Force spectroscopy
• rupture force
• force ramp
• optical trap
• AFM pulling
• Bell model

View correction statement:

Models for recovering the energy landscape of conformational transitions from single-molecule pulling experiments

Acknowledgements

The author thanks Dr. Dario Meluzzi for proofreading this article.

Notes

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

This article was originally published with errors. This version has been corrected/amended. Please see Erratum (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08927022.2016.1259874).