This technique allows us to probe the kinetics of individual enzyme molecules. The aim of this project is to use modern imaging techniques to visualise single molecules in living cells in order to elucidate their functions, with particular emphasis on actin based cell motility by members of the myosin superfamily. Measurement of the contraction forces produced by single cells . The contraction forces produced by human dermal fibroblasts, cultured on deformable silicone membranes, have been quantified using video microscopy and image analysis. In vivo , such forces are thought to cause contraction of the skin's dermal layer and promote wound closure.
Normal contraction is vital to prevent infection and water loss.
However, aberrant cellular behaviour is thought to be responsible for a variety of wound pathologies, such as hypertrophic and keloid scarring. In vitro motility assay . This assay is used to measure the motile behaviour of different types of myosin. Individual fluorescent actin filaments can be seen sliding over a lawn of myosin molecules on a microsope cover slip. This illustrates the very shallow penetration of the evanescent wave into the medium.