The development and experimental validation of a mathematical model for nanoparticle–based surface energy transfer (SET) between gold nanoparticles and fluorescent dye labels, has enabled biophysical studies of nucleic acid structure and function previously inaccessible by other methods. The main advantages of SET for optical distance measurements are that it can operate over longer distances than other similar methods, such as Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), thus enabling measurements across biological structures much larger than otherwise possible. This work discusses the fundamental theory for the SET interaction and expansion of SET theory to account for multiple interacting dye labels and demonstrated on DNA and RNA in order to allow 3D triangulation of labeled structures. SET theory has also been expanded to core@shell structures which represent a new class of designer SET platforms with dramatically increased spectral windows; allowing for a multitude of dye labels to be used simultaneously over a broad range of wavelengths. Additionally, these designer nanostructures can incorporate the material properties of the core. So that , for example Ni@Au, can provide a SET measurement platform coupled with a magnetic moment for sample purification and manipulation. These efforts to develop and establish optical SET methods lays a foundation of a powerful methodology for biophysical characterization, and allows researchers to study biological structures previously too large or complex to be easily studied, such as the unknown tertiary structures of large RNA elements. / A Dissertation submitted to the Institute of Molecular Biophysics in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester 2016. / June 28, 2016. / DNA, Energy Transfer, Nanoparticles, Optical Ruler, RNA / Includes bibliographical references. / Geoffrey F. Strouse, Professor Directing Dissertation; Richard L. Hyson, University Representative; Piotr G. Fajer, Committee Member; M. Elizabeth Stroupe, Committee Member; Hank W. Bass, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_366114 |
| Contributors | Riskowski, Ryan A. (Ryan Alan) (authoraut), Strouse, Geoffrey F. (professor directing dissertation), Hyson, Richard Lee (university representative), Fajer, Peter G. (committee member), Stroupe, Margaret Elizabeth (committee member), Bass, Hank W. (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Arts and Sciences (degree granting college), Program in Molecular Biophysics (degree granting department) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource (146 pages), computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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