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Single Enzyme Studies: A Historical Perspective

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Single Molecule Enzymology

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 778))

Abstract

Single-molecule enzymology has a longer history than is often supposed, with the first measurements being made as early as 1961. However, the development of new technologies has meant that most of the progress has been made in the last two decades. I review the development of single-molecule enzymology, focussing on five key papers which are milestones in the field. In particular, I discuss the 1961 paper by Boris Rotman, which made inventive use of what now seems like primitive technology, and continues to be influential to this day.

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Acknowledgment

I would like to acknowledge support from the Chemical and Biological Metrology programme of the National Measurement Office.

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Correspondence to Alex E. Knight .

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Knight, A.E. (2011). Single Enzyme Studies: A Historical Perspective. In: Mashanov, G., Batters, C. (eds) Single Molecule Enzymology. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 778. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-261-8_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-261-8_1

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-260-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-261-8

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