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Key Documents

Curriculum Vitae available Online

Steven M. Block

Professor, Applied Physics
Professor, Biology (School of Humanities and Sciences)
Senior Fellow (By courtesy), Spogli Inst for Intrntl Studies
Member, Bio-X

Contact Information

Academic Offices

Personal Information
Email sblock@stanford.edu Tel (650) 724-4046

Administrative Contact
Contact my lab Tel Work 724-5536

Honors and Awards

Max Delbruck Prize in Biological Physics, American Physical Society (2008)
Outstanding Investigator Award in Single Molecule Biophysics, Biophysical Society (2008)
Member, National Academy of Sciences (2007)
Research Excellence Award, U. Penn Nano/Bio Interface Center (2007)
S.W. Ascherman Chair of Sciences, Stanford University (2006)
Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2006)
President, Biophysical Society (2005-2006)
Member, American Academy of Arts & Sciences (2000)
Young Investigator Award, Biophysical Society (1994)

Professional Education

PhD, California Inst. of Technology Biology (1983)
MA, Univ. Colorado Biology (1982)
MA, Oxford University, UK Physics (1978)
BA, Oxford University, UK Physics (1974)

Publications

Direct observation of hierarchical folding in single riboswitch aptamers. Greenleaf WJ, Frieda KL, Foster DA, Woodside MT, Block SM. Science. 2008; 319 (5863): 630-3
Direct measurement of the full, sequence-dependent folding landscape of a nucleic acid. Woodside MT, Anthony PC, Behnke-Parks WM, Larizadeh K, Herschlag D, Block SM. Science. 2006; 314 (5801): 1001-4
Single-molecule, motion-based DNA sequencing using RNA polymerase. Greenleaf WJ, Block SM. Science. 2006; 313 (5788): 801
Individual dimers of the mitotic kinesin motor Eg5 step processively and support substantial loads in vitro. Valentine MT, Fordyce PM, Krzysiak TC, Gilbert SP, Block SM. Nat Cell Biol. 2006; 8 (5): 470-6
Sequence-resolved detection of pausing by single RNA polymerase molecules. Herbert KM, La Porta A, Wong BJ, Mooney RA, Neuman KC, Landick R, Block SM. Cell. 2006; 125 (6): 1083-94
Backsteps induced by nucleotide analogs suggest the front head of kinesin is gated by strain. Guydosh NR, Block SM. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006; 103 (21): 8054-9
Direct observation of base-pair stepping by RNA polymerase. Abbondanzieri EA, Greenleaf WJ, Shaevitz JW, Landick R, Block SM. Nature. 2005; 438 (7067): 460-5
Kinesin moves by an asymmetric hand-over-hand mechanism. Asbury CL, Fehr AN, Block SM. Science. 2003; 302 (5653): 2130-4
On the origin of kinesin limping. Fehr AN, Gutiérrez-Medina B, Asbury CL, Block SM. Biophys J. 2009; 97 (6): 1663-70
Direct measurements of kinesin torsional properties reveal flexible domains and occasional stalk reversals during stepping. Gutiérrez-Medina B, Fehr AN, Block SM. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009; 106 (40): 17007-12
Applied force reveals mechanistic and energetic details of transcription termination. Larson MH, Greenleaf WJ, Landick R, Block SM. Cell. 2008; 132 (6): 971-82
Kinesin steps do not alternate in size. Fehr AN, Asbury CL, Block SM. Biophys J. 2008; 94 (3): L20-2
Single-molecule studies of RNA polymerase: motoring along. Herbert KM, Greenleaf WJ, Block SM. Annu Rev Biochem. 2008; 77 149-76
Not so lame after all: kinesin still walks with a hobbled head. Guydosh NR, Block SM. J Gen Physiol. 2007; 130 (5): 441-4
Kinesin motor mechanics: binding, stepping, tracking, gating, and limping. Block SM, Biophys J. 2007; 92 (9): 2986-95
High-resolution, single-molecule measurements of biomolecular motion. Greenleaf WJ, Woodside MT, Block SM. Annu Rev Biophys Biomol Struct. 2007; 36 171-90
Molecule by molecule, the physics and chemistry of life: SMB 2007. Block SM, Larson MH, Greenleaf WJ, Herbert KM, Guydosh NR, Anthony PC. Nat Chem Biol. 2007; 3 (4): 193-7
Nanomechanical measurements of the sequence-dependent folding landscapes of single nucleic acid hairpins. Woodside MT, Behnke-Parks WM, Larizadeh K, Travers K, Herschlag D, Block SM. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006; 103 (16): 6190-5
Pulling on the nascent RNA during transcription does not alter kinetics of elongation or ubiquitous pausing. Dalal RV, Larson MH, Neuman KC, Gelles J, Landick R, Block SM. Mol Cell. 2006; 23 (2): 231-9
Eg5 steps it up! Valentine MT, Fordyce PM, Block SM. Cell Div. 2006; 1 31
Passive all-optical force clamp for high-resolution laser trapping. Greenleaf WJ, Woodside MT, Abbondanzieri EA, Block SM. Phys Rev Lett. 2005; 95 (20): 208102
Picocalorimetry of transcription by RNA polymerase. Abbondanzieri EA, Shaevitz JW, Block SM. Biophys J. 2005; 89 (6): L61-3
Measurement of the effective focal shift in an optical trap. Neuman KC, Abbondanzieri EA, Block SM. Opt Lett. 2005; 30 (11): 1318-20
Statistical kinetics of macromolecular dynamics. Shaevitz JW, Block SM, Schnitzer MJ. Biophys J. 2005; 89 (4): 2277-85
Forward and reverse motion of single RecBCD molecules on DNA. Perkins TT, Li HW, Dalal RV, Gelles J, Block SM. Biophys J. 2004; 86 (3): 1640-8
Simultaneous, coincident optical trapping and single-molecule fluorescence. Lang MJ, Fordyce PM, Engh AM, Neuman KC, Block SM. Nat Methods. 2004; 1 (2): 133-9
Optical trapping. Neuman KC, Block SM. Rev Sci Instrum. 2004; 75 (9): 2787-809
Combined optical trapping and single-molecule fluorescence. Lang MJ, Fordyce PM, Block SM. J Biol. 2003; 2 (1): 6
Sequence-dependent pausing of single lambda exonuclease molecules. Perkins TT, Dalal RV, Mitsis PG, Block SM. Science. 2003; 301 (5641): 1914-8
Ubiquitous transcriptional pausing is independent of RNA polymerase backtracking. Neuman KC, Abbondanzieri EA, Landick R, Gelles J, Block SM. Cell. 2003; 115 (4): 437-47
Backtracking by single RNA polymerase molecules observed at near-base-pair resolution. Shaevitz JW, Abbondanzieri EA, Landick R, Block SM. Nature. 2003; 426 (6967): 684-7
Resource Letter: LBOT-1: Laser-based optical tweezers. Lang MJ, Block SM. Am J Phys. 2003; 71 (3): 201-215
Stepping and stretching. How kinesin uses internal strain to walk processively. Rosenfeld SS, Fordyce PM, Jefferson GM, King PH, Block SM. J Biol Chem. 2003; 278 (20): 18550-6
Probing the kinesin reaction cycle with a 2D optical force clamp. Block SM, Asbury CL, Shaevitz JW, Lang MJ. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003; 100 (5): 2351-6
A not-so-cheap stunt. Block SM, Science. 2002; 297 (5582): 769-70; author reply 769-70
An automated two-dimensional optical force clamp for single molecule studies. Lang MJ, Asbury CL, Shaevitz JW, Block SM. Biophys J. 2002; 83 (1): 491-501
The importance of lattice defects in katanin-mediated microtubule severing in vitro. Davis LJ, Odde DJ, Block SM, Gross SP. Biophys J. 2002; 82 (6): 2916-27
Coordination of opposite-polarity microtubule motors. Gross SP, Welte MA, Block SM, Wieschaus EF. J Cell Biol. 2002; 156 (4): 715-24
Stretching of single collapsed DNA molecules. Baumann CG, Bloomfield VA, Smith SB, Bustamante C, Wang MD, Block SM. Biophys J. 2000; 78 (4): 1965-78
Dynein-mediated cargo transport in vivo. A switch controls travel distance. Gross SP, Welte MA, Block SM, Wieschaus EF. J Cell Biol. 2000; 148 (5): 945-56
Force production by single kinesin motors. Schnitzer MJ, Visscher K, Block SM. Nat Cell Biol. 2000; 2 (10): 718-23
Estimating the persistence length of a worm-like chain molecule from force-extension measurements. Bouchiat C, Wang MD, Allemand J, Strick T, Block SM, Croquette V. Biophys J. 1999; 76 (1 Pt 1): 409-13
Characterization of photodamage to escherichia coli in optical traps Neuman KC, Chadd EH, Liou GF, Bergman K, Block SM. Biophys J. 1999; 77 (5): 2856-63
Single kinesin molecules studied with a molecular force clamp. Visscher K, Schnitzer MJ, Block SM. Nature. 1999; 400 (6740): 184-9
Leading the procession: new insights into kinesin motors. Block SM, J Cell Biol. 1998; 140 (6): 1281-4
Developmental regulation of vesicle transport in Drosophila embryos: forces and kinetics. Welte MA, Gross SP, Postner M, Block SM, Wieschaus EF. Cell. 1998; 92 (4): 547-57
Kinesin: what gives? Block SM, Cell. 1998; 93 (1): 5-8
Role of ponticulin in pseudopod dynamics, cell-cell adhesion, and mechanical stability of an amoeboid membrane skeleton. Luna EJ, Hitt AL, Shutt D, Wessels D, Soll D, Jay P, Hug C, Elson EL, Vesley A, Downey GP, Wang M, Block SM, Sigurdson W, Sachs F. Biol Bull. 1998; 194 (3): 345-6; discussion 346-7
Versatile optical traps with feedback control. Visscher K, Block SM. Methods Enzymol. 1998; 298 460-89
Force and velocity measured for single molecules of RNA polymerase. Wang MD, Schnitzer MJ, Yin H, Landick R, Gelles J, Block SM. Science. 1998; 282 (5390): 902-7
Real engines of creation. Block SM, Nature. 1997; 386 (6622): 217-9
Kinesin hydrolyses one ATP per 8-nm step. Schnitzer MJ, Block SM. Nature. 1997; 388 (6640): 386-90
Stretching DNA with optical tweezers. Wang MD, Yin H, Landick R, Gelles J, Block SM. Biophys J. 1997; 72 (3): 1335-46
Fifty ways to love your lever: myosin motors. Block SM, Cell. 1996; 87 (2): 151-7
Do's and don't's of poster presentation. Block SM, Biophys J. 1996; 71 (6): 3527-9
Statistical kinetics of processive enzymes. Schnitzer MJ, Block SM. Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol. 1995; 60 793-802
Analysis of high resolution recordings of motor movement. Block SM, Svoboda K. Biophys J. 1995; 68 (4 Suppl): 230S-239S; discussion 239S-241S
Fluctuation analysis of kinesin movement. Svoboda K, Mitra PP, Block SM. Biophys J. 1995; 68 (4 Suppl): 69S
Macromolecular physiology. One small step for myosin... Block SM, Nature. 1995; 378 (6553): 132-3
Nanometres and piconewtons: the macromolecular mechanics of kinesin. Block SM, Trends Cell Biol. 1995; 5 (4): 169-75
Transcription against an applied force. Yin H, Wang MD, Svoboda K, Landick R, Block SM, Gelles J. Science. 1995; 270 (5242): 1653-7
Biological applications of optical forces. Svoboda K, Block SM. Annu Rev Biophys Biomol Struct. 1994; 23 247-85
A mutant hook-associated protein (HAP3) facilitates torsionally induced transformations of the flagellar filament of Escherichia coli. Fahrner KA, Block SM, Krishnaswamy S, Parkinson JS, Berg HC. J Mol Biol. 1994; 238 (2): 173-86
Force and velocity measured for single kinesin molecules. Svoboda K, Block SM. Cell. 1994; 77 (5): 773-84
Fluctuation analysis of motor protein movement and single enzyme kinetics. Svoboda K, Mitra PP, Block SM. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1994; 91 (25): 11782-6
Direct observation of kinesin stepping by optical trapping interferometry. Svoboda K, Schmidt CF, Schnapp BJ, Block SM. Nature. 1993; 365 (6448): 721-7
Biophysical principles of sensory transduction. Block SM, Soc Gen Physiol Ser. 1992; 47 1-17
Morphology and dynamics of protruding spirochete periplasmic flagella. Charon NW, Goldstein SF, Block SM, Curci K, Ruby JD, Kreiling JA, Limberger RJ. J Bacteriol. 1992; 174 (3): 832-40
Making light work with optical tweezers. Block SM, Nature. 1992; 360 (6403): 493-5
Conformation and elasticity of the isolated red blood cell membrane skeleton. Svoboda K, Schmidt CF, Branton D, Block SM. Biophys J. 1992; 63 (3): 784-93
Compliance of bacterial polyhooks measured with optical tweezers. Block SM, Blair DF, Berg HC. Cytometry. 1991; 12 (6): 492-6
Visualization of bacterial flagella by video-enhanced light microscopy. Block SM, Fahrner KA, Berg HC. J Bacteriol. 1991; 173 (2): 933-6
Bead movement by single kinesin molecules studied with optical tweezers. Block SM, Goldstein LS, Schnapp BJ. Nature. 1990; 348 (6299): 348-52
Actin cores of hair-cell stereocilia support myosin motility. Shepherd GM, Corey DP, Block SM. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1990; 87 (21): 8627-31
Compliance of bacterial flagella measured with optical tweezers. Block SM, Blair DF, Berg HC. Nature. 1989; 338 (6215): 514-8
Movement of myosin fragments in vitro: domains involved in force production. Hynes TR, Block SM, White BT, Spudich JA. Cell. 1987; 48 (6): 953-63
Temporal comparisons in bacterial chemotaxis. Segall JE, Block SM, Berg HC. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1986; 83 (23): 8987-91
Myosin movement in vitro: a quantitative assay using oriented actin cables from Nitella. Sheetz MP, Block SM, Spudich JA. Methods Enzymol. 1986; 134 531-44
Successive incorporation of force-generating units in the bacterial rotary motor. Block SM, Berg HC. Nature. 1984 May 31-Jun 6; 309 (5967): 470-2
A miniature flow cell designed for rapid exchange of media under high-power microscope objectives. Berg HC, Block SM. J Gen Microbiol. 1984; 130 (11): 2915-20
Coordination of flagella on filamentous cells of Escherichia coli. Ishihara A, Segall JE, Block SM, Berg HC. J Bacteriol. 1983; 155 (1): 228-37
Light and dark adaptation in Phycomyces light-growth response. Lipson ED, Block SM. J Gen Physiol. 1983; 81 (6): 845-59
Adaptation kinetics in bacterial chemotaxis. Block SM, Segall JE, Berg HC. J Bacteriol. 1983; 154 (1): 312-23
Impulse responses in bacterial chemotaxis. Block SM, Segall JE, Berg HC. Cell. 1982; 31 (1): 215-26

Key Documents

Steven M. Block

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