Single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (smFRET)
smFRET imaging provides a powerful means of visualizing the conformational and compositional dynamics of individual macromolecules and macromolecular complexes. Interrogation of individual molecules is free from ensemble averaging that would mask transient conformations.
Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS)
Binding of viral envelope glycoproteins to ligands or model membranes
Single-particle membrane fusion
To provide a functional counterpart to our investigation of conformational dynamics, we use single-particle fusion assays to monitor viral fusion to model membranes.
Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation
We use atomistic and coarse-grained MD simulation to aid in the interpretation of our experimental data and form hypotheses about the specific residues and interactions that mediate the observed dynamics.