Molecular dynamics in cells: A neutron view

Abstract

Experiments to characterize intracellular molecular dynamics in vivo are discussed following a description of the incoherent neutron scattering method. Work reviewed includes water diffusion in bacteria, archaea, red blood cells, brain cells and cancer cells, and the role of proteome molecular dynamics in adaptation to physiological temperature and pressure, and in response to low salt stress in an extremophile. A brief discussion of the potential links between neutron scattering results and MD simulations on in-cell dynamics concludes the review.

Keywords: Adaptation through molecular dynamics; Deep sea microbes; Extremophile; Neutron scattering; Stress response; Water diffusion in brain and cancer cells.