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faculty profile |
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| Dr. Ana Jofre |
| Assistant Professor |
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Department: Department of Physics and Optical Science |
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Office: Grigg Hall 348 |
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Office Hours: |
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Email: ajofre@uncc.edu |
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Phone: 704-687-8175 |
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Research Description:
We use femtoliter nano-droplets (hydrosomes) to encapsulate and observe single molecules by fluorescence spectroscopy. Using an optical trap, we hold the hydrosomes within a confocal observation volume, and interrogate the encapsulated molecule with fluorescence excitation. This method allows for long observation times of a molecule without any surface immobilization, and is therefore suited for dynamic studies of single proteins. We are currently using this technique for single molecule studies of myosin conformations. We also use hydrosomes as nano-containers for chemical reactions. In this application, hydrosomes are brought together by optical manipulation, and they fuse on contact thereby allowing their contents to mix. In this way we can study the reaction kinetics between two individual freely diffusing single molecules. We currently studying the hybridization kinetics of DNA oligos. |
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Recent Publications:
“Green Fluorescent Protein in Optically Trapped Aqueous Nanodroplets” J. Tang, A. Jofre, G.M. Lowman, R. Kishore, J.E. Reiner, K. Helmerson, L.S. Goldner, M.E. Greene. Langmuir. 24, pg 4975 (2008)
“Hydrosomes: Femtoliter containers for fluorescence spectroscopy studies.” Ana M. Jofre, Jianyong Tang, Mark E. Greene, Geoffrey M. Lowman, Nathan Hodas, Rani Kishore, Kristian Helmerson, Lori S. Goldner. (2007) Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 6644, 66440E
“Formation, stabilization, and application of amphiphilic block copolymer nanotubes.” A.M. Jofre, J.B. Hutchison, R. Kishore, K. Helmerson, L. Locassio. (2007) Journal of Physical Chemistry B Vol. 111, No. 19, 5162-5166
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Research Areas:
Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Optical Trapping
Single Molecule Biophysics
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