| Title: |
Deciphering the scaling of single-molecule interactions using Jarzynski's equality |
| Authors: |
Raman, S.; Utzig, T.; Baimpos, T.; Shrestha, B.; Valtiner, M. |
| Source: |
Nature Communications |
| Publication Year: |
2014 |
| Collection: |
Max Planck Society: MPG.PuRe |
| Description: |
Unravelling the complexity of the macroscopic world relies on understanding the scaling of single-molecule interactions towards integral macroscopic interactions. Here, we demonstrate the scaling of single acid-amine interactions through a synergistic experimental approach combining macroscopic surface forces apparatus experiments and single-molecule force spectroscopy. This experimental framework is ideal for testing the well-renowned Jarzynski's equality, which relates work performed under non-equilibrium conditions with equilibrium free energy. Macroscopic equilibrium measurements scale linearly with the number density of interfacial bonds, providing acid-amine interaction energies of 10.9 +/- 0.2 kT. Irrespective of how far from equilibrium single-molecule experiments are performed, the Jarzynski's free energy converges to 11 +/- 1 kT. Our results validate the applicability of Jarzynski's equality to unravel the scaling of non-equilibrium single-molecule experiments to scenarios where large numbers of molecules interacts simultaneously in equilibrium. The developed scaling strategy predicts large-scale properties such as adhesion or cell-cell interactions on the basis of single-molecule measurements. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| Availability: |
http://hdl.handle.net/11858/00-001M-0000-0025-02E6-0 |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.87AEB6A7 |
| Database: |
BASE |