This clip starts with a bead being positioned near a nanorod using a laser trap. Then, an orbit is applied to the rod using the magnets of the 3DFM and it starts to beat. A flow in the CCW direction is created, and the bead can be seen to flow around the rod. Then, the beat frequency is doubled, and the bead’s orbital radius increases.
We observe a magnetic bead with a 4.4-micron diameter being pulled around by the four poles of the initial “”Betty”” setup of our 3DFM. The bead is in a corn-syrup solution with a calibrated viscosity of 86 centiPoids. The video shows two complete orbits of the bead, as it is pulled towards each magnet in turn.
A fanciful view inside a cell intended to show the concept of the 3DFM. It starts with a view of several microtubules and follows the motion of a bead along one of them. As it zooms in, we can see a representation of a kinesin walking its way along the microtubule, carrying the bead. Using the 3DFM, we hope to be able to track, stall, and measure the forces on kinesin and other motor proteins as they perform their duties within living cells.
Jeremy Cummings using a force-feedback device to control the magnetic drive on the first prototype of the 3D Force Microscope. This drives a magnetic bead in a square.