title: Preparation of isolated biomolecules for SFM observations: T4 bacteriophage as a test sample.
abstract: The T4 bacteriophage has been used to investigate protocols for the preparation of samples for scanning force microscopy in air, in order to obtaining reproducible images. The resolution of images and the distribution of bacteriophages on the substrate depends on the buffer type, its concentration, the surface treatment of substrate, and the method of deposition. The best imaging conditions for the phages require dilution in a volatile buffer at low ionic strength and adsorption onto hydrophilic surfaces. When imaging with the scanning force microscopy the quality of the images is influenced by the vertical and lateral forces applied on the sample and by the tip geometry.
authors.affiliation: Glaxo Institute for Molecular Biology, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Droz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taborelli
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Descouts
mesh_terms: D017122:Bacteriophage T4 / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D002021:Buffers; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D016252:Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D002021:Buffers