title: ECM macromolecules: height-mapping and nano-mechanics using atomic force microscopy.
abstract: The atomic force microscope (AFM) may be used to collect quantitative height data from extracellular matrix molecules and macro-molecular assemblies adsorbed to a wide range of solid substrates. The advantages of atomic force microscopy include rapid specimen preparation, which does not rely on chemical fixation, dehydration or heavy-metal staining, and sub-nanometre resolution imaging with a high signal-noise ratio. In combination with complimentary techniques such as molecular combing and by exploiting the ability to act as a force spectrometer, the AFM can provide valuable information on the nano-mechanical properties of extracellular matrix components.
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Nigel W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Hodson
authors.forename: Cay M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Kielty
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sherratt
mesh_terms: D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D036103:Nanotechnology