About Tom Perkins

My research focuses on single molecule measurements of biological systems. One outstanding question is how motor proteins transduce chemical energy into physical motion? Another is how does the structure and dynamics of membrane proteins affect their functions? We specialize in developing and applying high precision measurements using optical traps and atomic force microscopes to answer these and other interseting questions.

Routine and timely sub-picoNewton force stability and precision for biological applications of atomic force microscopy

A wide range of AFM-based assays for biophysics and nanoscience would benefit from improved force precision and stability. AFM in liquid is typically associated with force precision of about 5...
Dynamics and Multiple Strong Binding Modes of DNA Intercalators

DNA intercalators are widely used to fluorescently label DNA and as drugs in cancer therapy. Hence, these molecules have broad utility in basic research and clinical pharmacology. As a result, they have been the focus of extensive research and...
Ultrastable Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic force microscopes (AFMs) are widely used for characterization and manipulation of nanometer scale systems in air at room temperature or, in other words, ambient conditions. Yet, in these perturbative real-world conditions, uncontrolled drift between the microscope tip...
An interactive optical tweezers simulation for science education

Educational simulations (sims) can be highly engaging and effective tools for helping students learn science and math. However, they must be carefully developed and tested. Since 2002, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of...
Overstretching DNA does not require peeling

DNA’s extension increases by 70% in a narrow force window at 65 pN, a phenomena called 'over stretching'. The state of the DNA after overstretching has been controversial since the discovery of overstretching in 1996. One group of scientists advocate for S-DNA, where...
Optically finding a needle in a hay stack

In atomic force microscopy (AFM), it is difficult and time consuming to locate a region of interest for study by AFM without damaging the tip or the sample. Typically, large areas of a sample are imaged by the AFM tip before returning to a particular region for more...
The Perkins Group as Science Wizards, May 2011

The Perkins Group demonstrated their science during the monthly CU Wizards show in May 2011.  This was the second time the group had participated in this science outreach project, which is held...

Recent News

Congratulations to Peter Lawson for being awarded a UROP grant to fund his AFM-based research
Congrats to Matt Siewny for receiving a Molecular Biophysics Training grant fellowship
Congrats to Allison, Ruby and their colleagues on their Nano Letters paper
Congrats to Matt Bull on receiving a UROP Individual training grant
SMB 2013 Conference approved

More details on the News page -->

Highlighted Pub

Routine and Timely Sub-picoNewton Force Stability and Precision for Biological Applications of Atomic Force Microscopy
Journal Website:
Read at Nano Letters

View more on the Publications Page -->

Multimedia

Optical tweezers interactive figure.

The multimedia galleries have research photos, photos from around Colorado, simulations and more.

View the latest images in the Multimedia Galleries -->

Lab Opportunities

Post-doctoral Positions in Single Molecule Biophysics

Multiple post-doctoral positions are available in the Perkins Lab at JILA, which is located on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus. These positions will span a range of instruments and applications.

Learn more on the Openings page -->

© 2013 JILA, University of Colorado/NIST