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Publications in Scientific Journals:

V. Ruprecht, M. Axmann, S. Wieser, G. Schütz:
"What Can We Learn from Single Molecule Trajectories?";
Current Protein and Peptide Science, 12 (2011), 714 - 724.



English abstract:
Diffusing membrane constituents are constantly exposed to a variety of forces that influence their stochastic
path. Single molecule experiments allow for resolving trajectories at extremely high spatial and temporal accuracy,
thereby offering insights into en route interactions of the tracer. In this review we discuss approaches to derive information
about the underlying processes, based on single molecule tracking experiments. In particular, we focus on a new versatile
way to analyze single molecule diffusion in the absence of a full analytical treatment. The method is based on comprehensive
comparison of an experimental data set against the hypothetical outcome of multiple experiments performed
on the computer. Since Monte Carlo simulations can be easily and rapidly performed even on state-of-the-art PCs, our
method provides a simple way for testing various - even complicated - diffusion models. We describe the new method in
detail, and show the applicability on two specific examples: firstly, kinetic rate constants can be derived for the transient
interaction of mobile membrane proteins; secondly, residence time and corral size can be extracted for confined diffusion.

Keywords:
Single particle tracking, 2D random walk, monte carlo simulation, diffusion models, confined diffusion, single molecule diffusion analysis, single molecule microscopy, statistical analysis of trajectories.

Created from the Publication Database of the Vienna University of Technology.