title: Introduction to atomic force microscopy (AFM) in biology.
abstract: The atomic force microscope has the unique capability of imaging biological samples with molecular resolution in buffer solution. In addition to providing topographical images of surfaces with nanometer- to angstrom-scale resolution, forces between single molecules and mechanical properties of biological samples can be investigated. Importantly, the measurements are made in buffer solutions, allowing biological samples to stay alive within a physiological-like environment while temporal changes in structure are measured. This overview provides an introduction to AFM on biological systems and describes specific examples of AFM on proteins. The physical principles of the technique and methodological aspects of its practical use and applications are also described.
authors.affiliation: Cytoskeleton Group, Max Planck Unit for Structural Molecular Biology, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goldsbury
authors.affiliation: Institut Curie, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scheuring
mesh_terms: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D055672:Static Electricity; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D011506:Proteins; C011934:mica