Scanning force microscopy of artificial membranes

Visualization of biological membranes by scanning force microscopy (SFM) has tremendously improved the current understanding of protein-lipid interactions under physiological conditions. SFM is the only tool to directly image processes on surfaces in aqueous solution at molecular resolution. Besides being a supportive means to confirm results on lipid phases and domains obtained from fluorescence spectroscopy, calorimetry, and X-ray crystallography, SFM has contributed distinct aspects on the formation of 2D crystals of various membrane-confined proteins and morphological changes of membranes due to the interaction of peptides and proteins. This review will focus on recent results in SFM imaging of artificial solid-supported membranes, their phase behavior as a response to the environment, and changes in membrane morphology induced by the partitioning of peptides and proteins.