Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid Bilayers.
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a versatile, high-resolution imaging technique that allows visualization of biological membranes. It has sufficient magnification to examine membrane substructures and even individual molecules. AFM can act as a force probe to measure interactions and mechanical properties of membranes. Supported lipid bilayers are conventionally used as membrane models in AFM studies. In this protocol, we demonstrate how to prepare supported bilayers and characterize their structure and mechanical properties using AFM. These include bilayer thickness and breakthrough force. The information provided by AFM imaging and force spectroscopy help define mechanical and chemical properties of membranes. These properties play an important role in cellular processes such as maintaining cell hemostasis from environmental stress, bringing membrane proteins together, and stabilizing protein complexes.
Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry; Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems; German Cancer Research Center; joseph.unsay@is.mpg.de.
Joseph D
JD
Unsay
Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry; Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems.
Katia
K
Cosentino
Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry; Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems.
Ana J
AJ
García-Sáez
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000737:chemistry; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000737:chemistry; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000737:chemistry
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D013109:Sphingomyelins; D002784:Cholesterol; C017251:1,2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine