The One Molecule Group - Woehl Lab

Research in the Woehl Lab is focused on the effect and interaction of electric fields with single molecules.

In particular, we want to better understand

1. how molecules use their innate electric fields to communicate with each other, and
2. how, in turn, we can make use of electric fields to trap and manipulate single molecules.

• In many cases, biological molecules carry out their tasks by making use of molecular electric fields (such as in photosynthesis, enzymatic activity, electrostatic steering of ligands to active sites, and protein folding and assembly). We employ single molecules as nanoscale reporters of the electric fields at the active sites of the oxygen carriers myoglobin and hemoglobin, where molecular fields may play an important role for biological function.
• All known physical and chemical properties of a molecular species are the direct result of quasi-electrostatic interactions, and it appears sensible to focus on electrostatic forces as the most efficient means of exercising control over single molecules. Based on this idea, we have conceived and developed a new approach for the trapping and manipulation of single nanoparticles, including single molecules: the corral trap.
• A common component of our research projects is the ability to image single molecules with high spatial resolution, and the development and improvement of instrumentation and theoretical tools for optical microscopy is therefore at the core of our efforts.