• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.353-362
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• 2005

This article describes a state-of-the art review in nano-biomanipulation technologies. Nanomanipulation of biological objects enables an in-depth study of single molecules such as DNA and RNA, and of biophysical events at the molecular level like molecular motors. Controlled nanomanipulation is challenging but essential for precisely engineering biomolecules or cells and for manufacturing functional nano-biosystems. In this paper, we summarize several contact, non-contact and hybrid methods available for nanomanipulation of biological objects. Advantages currently available methods and their limitations are also compared. Finally, we discuss possible applications of nano-biomanipulation technologies to life science and molecular medicine including cell biology, genetic engineering, biophysics, and biochemistry.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.167-172
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• 2004

The kinesin proteins (KIFs) make up a large superfamily of molecular motors that transport cargo such as vesicles, protein complexes, and organelles. KIF5 is a heterotetrameric motor that conveys vesicles and plays an important role in neuronal function. Here, we used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify the neuronal protein(s) that interacts with the tail region of KIF5 and found a specific interaction with ${\beta}III$ spectrin. The amino acid residues between 1394 and 1774 of ${\beta}III$ spectrin were required for the interaction with KIF5C. ${\beta}III$ spectrin also bound to the tail region of neuronal KIF5A and ubiquitous KIF5B but not to other kinesin family members in the yeast two-hybrid assay. In addition, these proteins showed specific interactions, confirmed by GST pull-down assay and co-immunoprecipitation. ${\beta}III$ spectrin interacted with GST-KIF5 fusion proteins, but not with GST alone. An antibody to ${\beta}III$ spectrin specifically co-immunoprecipitated KIF5s associated with ${\beta}III$ spectrin from mouse brain extracts. These results suggest that KTF5 motor proteins transport vesicles or organelles that are coated with ${\beta}III$ spectrin.

• Polymer Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.465-474
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• 2006

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.199-204
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• 2008

KIF1B${\beta}$ is a member of the Kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs), which are microtubule-dependent molecular motors that are involved in various intracellular organellar transport processes. KIF1B${\beta}$ is not restricted to neuronal systems, however, is widely expressed in other tissues, even though the function of KIF1B${\beta}$ is still unclear. To elucidate the KIF1B${\beta}$-binding proteins in non-neuronal cells, we used the yeast two-hybrid system, and found a specific interaction of KIF1B${\beta}$ and the sorting nexin (SNX) 17. The C-terminal region of SNX17 is required for the binding with KIF1B${\beta}$. SNX17 protein bound to the specific region of KIF1Bf3 (813-916. aa), but not to other kinesin family members. In addition, this specific interaction was also observed in the Glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay. An antibody to SNX17 specifically co-immunoprecipitated KIF1B${\beta}$ associated with SNX17 from mouse brain extracts. These results suggest that SNX17 might be involved in the KIF1B${\beta}$-mediated transport as a KIF1B${\beta}$ adaptor protein.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.141-143
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• 2004

We have investigated the dynamic mechanical behavior of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) irradiated with varying doses of gamma rays. A relaxation peak in the loss factor curve, which has not been reported previously in the literature, is observed at a temperature above the crystal melting temperature. The peak is unique to UHMWPE and appears to be related to the high degree of entanglement. Because the temperature and intensity of the peak are reduced by irradiation-induced chain scission and crosslinking, respectively, we believe that the peak is associated with disentanglement relaxation. The behavior of the storage modulus in the melt state agrees with the classical theory of rubber elasticity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.859-865
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• 2009

Microtubules, a major cytoskeleton, form parallel arrays in the axon and are oriented with their plus ends toward the cell periphery. Kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs) are the molecular motors acting in the microtubule-based motilities of organelles in cells. Here, we used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify the protein that interacts with the coiled-coil domain of KIF1A and found a specific interaction with microtubule-destabilizing factor SCG10. SCG10 bound to the amino acid residues between 400 and 820 of KIF1A, but not to other KIFs in the yeast two-hybrid assay. The coiled-coil domain of SCG10 is essential for interaction with KIF1A. In addition, this specific interaction was also observed in the Glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay. An antibody to SCG10 specifically co-immunoprecipitated KIF1A associated with SCG10 from mouse brain extracts. These results suggest that KIF1A motor protein transports SCG10-containing vesicles along microtubules in neurons.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society Of Semiconductor Equipment Technology
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.105-108
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• 2006

We investigated the fluidic gas-driven carbon-nanotube motor based on multi-wall carbon nanotubes and fluidic gas flow. Since the origination of the torque was the friction between the carbon nanotube surface and the fluidic gases, the density and the flow rate of the working gas or liquid were very important for the carbon nanotube motor. Molecular simulation results showed that multi-wall carbon nanotubes with very low rotating energy barriers could be effectively used for fluidic gas-driven carbon-nanotube motors.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.293-297
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• 2012

The movement of vesicles from the neuronal cell body to specific destinations requires molecular motors. The squid giant axon represents a powerful model for studies of the axonal transport mechanism because the axoplasm can readily be separated from the sheath by simple extrusion. In a previous study, vesicular movements in the axoplasm of the squid giant axon were inhibited by the kinesin antibody. In the present study, we cloned and sequenced the cDNAs for squid brain KIFs. Amplification of the conserved nucleotide sequences of the motor domain by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using first-strand cDNAs of the squid optic lobe identified six new KIF proteins. Motif analysis of the motor domains revealed that the squid KIFs are homologous to the consensus sequences of the mouse KIFs. The phylogenetic tree generated by using the maximum parsimony (MP) method, the neighbor-joining (NJ) method, the minimum evolution (ME) method, and the maximum likelihood (ML) method showed that squid KIFs are closest to mouse KIFs. These data prove the phylogenetic relationships between squid KIFs and mouse ones.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.198-201
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• 2010

We have worked a surface modification to release a strong agglomeration of multi-walled carbon nanotube(MWCNT) and a incorporation of hydrophilic polymer to improve compatibility between MWCNT and polymers. Carboxylated MWCNT was easily obtained by acid treatment and the carboxylate was converted to acylchloride by thionyl chloride. Then, we tried one more synthesizing routes to achieve covalent bonds with poly(ethylene oxide) having amine end groups of low molecular weight. We measured the polymer content on the surface of MWCNT by TGA and observed increased diameter of MWCNT by SEM and TEM analysis.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.112-118
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• 2004

With the goal of enhancing the creep resistance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), we performed gamma irradiation and post-irradiation annealing at a low temperature, and investigated the crystalline structures and mechanical properties of the samples. Electron spin resonance spectra reveal that most of the residual radicals are stabilized by annealing at 100$^{\circ}C$ for 72 h under vacuum. Both the melting temperature and crystallinity increase after increasing the dose and by post-irradiation annealing. When irradiated with the same dose, the quenched sample having a higher amorphous fraction exhibits a lower swell ratio than does the slow-cooled sample. The measured tensile properties correlate well to the crystalline structure of the irradiated and annealed samples. For enhancing creep resistance, high crystallinity appears to be more critical than a high degree of crosslinking.