Accuracy of maximum likelihood estimates of a two-state model in single-molecule FRET

摘要: Photon sequences from single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments can be analyzed using a maximum likelihood method. Parameters of the underlying kinetic model (FRET efficiencies states and transition rates between conformational states) are obtained by maximizing appropriate function. In addition, errors (uncertainties) extracted parameters curvature function at maximum. We study standard deviations two-state photon with recorded colors arrival times. The analytically in special case when FRET 0 1 limiting cases fast slow dynamics. These results compared numerical simulations. accuracy and, therefore, ability to predict depend on how count rate. limit transitions, key that determine number transitions independent sequences. limit, is determined small fraction photons correlated their neighbors. relative deviation relaxation rate has “chevron” shape as log-log scale. location minimum this dramatically depends well separated.