title: Force probing surfaces of living cells to molecular resolution.
abstract: Biological processes rely on molecular interactions that can be directly measured using force spectroscopy techniques. Here we review how atomic force microscopy can be applied to force probe surfaces of living cells to single-molecule resolution. Such probing of individual interactions can be used to map cell surface receptors, and to assay the receptors' functional states, binding kinetics and landscapes. This information provides unique insight into how cells structurally and functionally modulate the molecules of their surfaces to interact with the cellular environment.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. mueller@biotec.tu-dresden.de
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Jonne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Helenius
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alsteens
authors.forename: Yves F
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Dufrêne
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface