title: Visualizing water molecule distribution by atomic force microscopy.
abstract: Hydration structures at biomolecular surfaces are essential for understanding the mechanisms of the various biofunctions and stability of biomolecules. Here, we demonstrate the measurement of local hydration structures using an atomic force microscopy system equipped with a low-noise deflection sensor. We applied this method to the analysis of the muscovite mica/water interface and succeeded in visualizing a hydration structure that is site-specific on a crystal. Furthermore, at the biomolecule/buffer solution interface, we found surface hydration layers that are more packed than those at the muscovite mica/water interface.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electronic Science and Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan. kimura@gold.kobe-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kenjiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Shinichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ido
authors.forename: Noriaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oyabu
authors.forename: Kei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Yoshiki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Imai
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamada
mesh_terms: D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D014867:Water; C011934:mica