Single molecule (SM) measurements are rapidly becoming commonplace in research laboratories around the world and are contributing to many areas of investigation because of their ability to provide insight into phenomena that were previously intractable because of the ensemble averaging present in bulk measurements. In particular the dynamics of conformationally heterogeneous systems are benefiting from single-molecule studies. Protein folding and conformational dynamics, enzymology, ribozyme function, bacterial light harvesting, and protein-nucleic acid interactions are just a few examples of complex systems that have benefited from the application of SM techniques. However, the impact of SM results has been mitigated by the lack of uniform data analysis and interpretation. The proposed research focuses on SM fluorescence measurements and how to place the experimental design, analysis, and expectations onto solid statistical and theoretical ground.
Three specific aims are proposed: 1. Use information theory to determine the fundamental limits of SM experiments. 2. Develop statistically rigorous analysis methods based on hidden Markov models. 3. Implement methods as user-oriented additions to common data analysis packages. The significance to health of this research is through its contribution to the many ongoing SM investigations into biological systems. SM measurements are revolutionizing our approach to many problems in chemical biology, yet they are still being interpreted and designed based on assumptions that are only valid for ensemble measurements of bulk samples. This can result in collection of data that cannot be adequately interpreted using traditional methods. A consistent theoretical framework for SM measurements would be a significant step forward for the field.
Aim 1 will provide a theoretical framework that can be used for experimental design as it provides the limit of the measurement's ability to make inferences about the properties of the system. It will also provide the benchmark (the Cram?r-Rao bound) by which to judge data reduction methods.
Aim 2 develops the algorithms and core codes to implement statistically rigorous methods of data analysis that allow unbiased estimation of system parameters with accuracy approaching the Cram?r-Rao bound including meaning uncertainty estimates.
Aim 3 provides useable tools for experimental design and analysis to allow other investigators to exploit these methods for their own research.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01GM071684-05S1
Application #
8017861
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BDMA (01))
Program Officer
Lewis, Catherine D
Project Start
2010-03-19
Project End
2011-01-31
Budget Start
2010-03-19
Budget End
2011-01-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$47,782
Indirect Cost
Name
Rutgers University
Department
Chemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
001912864
City
New Brunswick
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
08901
Vitarelli Jr, Michael J; Talaga, David S (2013) Theoretical models for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and local ?-potential of unfolded proteins in nanopores. J Chem Phys 139:105101
Vitarelli Jr, Michael J; Prakash, Shaurya; Talaga, David S (2011) Determining nanocapillary geometry from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using a variable topology network circuit model. Anal Chem 83:533-41
Li, Jiali; Talaga, David S (2010) The distribution of DNA translocation times in solid-state nanopores. J Phys Condens Matter 22:454129
He, Xianglan; Giurleo, Jason T; Talaga, David S (2010) Role of small oligomers on the amyloidogenic aggregation free-energy landscape. J Mol Biol 395:134-54
Pronchik, Jeremy; He, Xianglan; Giurleo, Jason T et al. (2010) In vitro formation of amyloid from alpha-synuclein is dominated by reactions at hydrophobic interfaces. J Am Chem Soc 132:9797-803
Talaga, David S; Li, Jiali (2009) Single-molecule protein unfolding in solid state nanopores. J Am Chem Soc 131:9287-97
Talaga, David S (2009) Information-theoretical analysis of time-correlated single-photon counting measurements of single molecules. J Phys Chem A 113:5251-63
Giurleo, Jason T; He, Xianglan; Talaga, David S (2008) Beta-lactoglobulin assembles into amyloid through sequential aggregated intermediates. J Mol Biol 381:1332-48
Pronchik, Jeremy; Giurleo, Jason T; Talaga, David S (2008) Separation and analysis of dynamic Stokes shift with multiple fluorescence environments: coumarin 153 in bovine beta-lactoglobulin A. J Phys Chem B 112:11422-34
Giurleo, Jason T; Talaga, David S (2008) Global fitting without a global model: regularization based on the continuity of the evolution of parameter distributions. J Chem Phys 128:114114

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