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.

DOI
10.1080/08927022.2015.1123257
Year
Pretty Title
Models for recovering the energy landscape of conformational transitions from single-molecule pulling experiments