New frontiers in atomic force microscopy: analyzing interactions from single-molecules to cells.
Originally invented for imaging surfaces, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has evolved into a multifunctional molecular toolkit, enabling us to investigate the interactions of biological systems over scales ranging from single-molecules to whole cells. Specific highlights include the nanoscale imaging of the chemical properties of individual cells, the detection and functional analysis of cell surface receptors using single-molecule force spectroscopy and the quantitative measurement of cellular interactions using single-cell force spectroscopy. These advanced force spectroscopy modalities offer new opportunities for understanding the molecular bases of cell adhesion processes, which is a fundamental challenge in current life science and biotech research.
Müller
Daniel J
DJ
Biotechnology Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. daniel.mueller@biotec.tudresden.de
Krieg
Michael
M
Alsteens
David
D
Dufrêne
Yves F
YF
D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism
D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface