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SPS organises a seminar by Bidyut Sarkar

SPS organises a seminar by Bidyut Sarkar

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SPS organises a seminar by Bidyut Sarkar
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School of Physical Sciences

Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

 

Title :  Microsecond conformational dynamics of biopolymers studied by two- dimensional fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy (2D FLCS)

 

 Speaker:  Bidyut Sarkar

Molecular Spectroscopy Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Japan

 

Date:  03-January-2019

Time:   4:00  p.m, Friday

Venue: Seminar Room, SPS

 

Abstract : Many biological functions of biopolymers, such as proteins, DNA or RNA, are realized with their spontaneous structural fluctuation. Therefore, the elucidation of their energy landscapes and their structural dynamics are essential. Single molecule spectroscopy is a powerful tool to investigate this problem, and the single molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) technique is most widely utilized. However, conventional smFRET detects only millisecond and slower dynamics. In this presentation, I will introduce a new single molecule technique, recently developed by our laboratory, named two-dimensional fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy (2D FLCS)1,2. This method distinguishes the conformers of a biopolymer by their fluorescence lifetimes, and reports their interconverstion dynamics with a microsecond time resolution. By employing this method we could resolve the heterogeneous folding dynamics and the distinct ligand binding mechanisms of a preQ1 riboswitch, which is an important antibiotic drug target.3 I will also introduce a new variant of this method that combines dynamic fluorescence quenching (DQ) and 2D FLCS.4 In comparison to FRET which detects relatively large structural change, DQ is more sensitive to the local solvent accessibility of the attached dye. And, a major advantage of this method is that it requires only single-dye labeling compared to FRET which requires double-labeling. By applying this DQ 2D FLCS to a singly-labeled DNA hairpin, we succesfully resolved the open and closed forms in the equilibrium and detected their microsecond interconversion dynamics.

A warm welcome to the modified and updated website of the Centre for East Asian Studies. The East Asian region has been at the forefront of several path-breaking changes since 1970s beginning with the redefining the development architecture with its State-led development model besides emerging as a major region in the global politics and a key hub of the sophisticated technologies. The Centre is one of the thirteen Centres of the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi that provides a holistic understanding of the region.

Initially, established as a Centre for Chinese and Japanese Studies, it subsequently grew to include Korean Studies as well. At present there are eight faculty members in the Centre. Several distinguished faculty who have now retired include the late Prof. Gargi Dutt, Prof. P.A.N. Murthy, Prof. G.P. Deshpande, Dr. Nranarayan Das, Prof. R.R. Krishnan and Prof. K.V. Kesavan. Besides, Dr. Madhu Bhalla served at the Centre in Chinese Studies Programme during 1994-2006. In addition, Ms. Kamlesh Jain and Dr. M. M. Kunju served the Centre as the Documentation Officers in Chinese and Japanese Studies respectively.

The academic curriculum covers both modern and contemporary facets of East Asia as each scholar specializes in an area of his/her interest in the region. The integrated course involves two semesters of classes at the M. Phil programme and a dissertation for the M. Phil and a thesis for Ph. D programme respectively. The central objective is to impart an interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of history, foreign policy, government and politics, society and culture and political economy of the respective areas. Students can explore new and emerging themes such as East Asian regionalism, the evolving East Asian Community, the rise of China, resurgence of Japan and the prospects for reunification of the Korean peninsula. Additionally, the Centre lays great emphasis on the building of language skills. The background of scholars includes mostly from the social science disciplines; History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, International Relations and language.

Several students of the centre have been recipients of prestigious research fellowships awarded by Japan Foundation, Mombusho (Ministry of Education, Government of Japan), Saburo Okita Memorial Fellowship, Nippon Foundation, Korea Foundation, Nehru Memorial Fellowship, and Fellowship from the Chinese and Taiwanese Governments. Besides, students from Japan receive fellowship from the Indian Council of Cultural Relations.