Modeling and analysis of single-molecule experiments

Abstract

Single molecule experiments offer a unique window into the molecular world. This window allows us to distinguish the behaviors of individual molecules from the behavior of bulk by observing rare events and heterogeneity in the dynamics. This thesis discusses both models for single molecule experiments, including the stretching of DNA in hydrodynamic flows and the diffusion of tracer particles in heterogeneous environments, and methods to analyze single molecule data to allow determination of properties and models for single molecule experiments. These methods of analysis are based on combining information theory and Bayesian methods with physical insight and are applied to several experimental situations.