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Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a type of scanning probe microscopy that can analyze topographic details of various specimens like ceramics, glass, polymers, and biological samples. AFM offers over 1000 times more resolution than the optical imaging system. Images generated from AFM are three-dimensional surface profiles, offering an advantage over the flat, two-dimensional images from other imaging techniques.
The AFM Probe
The probe is regarded as the heart of any AFM setup and comprises the...

Overview of Microscopy Techniques

Overview of Microscopy Techniques

The early pioneers of microscopy opened a window into the invisible world of microorganisms. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes that leveraged nonvisible light, such as fluorescence microscopy that uses an ultraviolet light source and electron microscopy that uses short-wavelength electron beams. These advances significantly improved magnification, image resolution, and contrast. By comparison, the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping

Published on: October 24, 2014

[Protein imaging by atomic force microscopy].

Yoko Yamakoshi¹, Ken Nakazawa, Toshie Tsuchiya

¹Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California at Santa Barbara, USA.

Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine

|February 17, 2007

Summary

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images non-conductive surfaces and reveals single transmembrane protein structures at the nanoscale. This technique offers advantages for studying proteins in aqueous solution, reflecting cellular environments.

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Last Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping

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Visualization of Recombinant DNA and Protein Complexes Using Atomic Force Microscopy

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Area of Science:

Biophysics
Surface Science
Nanotechnology

Context:

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a high-resolution imaging technique.
Studying non-conductive surfaces, including biological molecules.
Transmembrane proteins often lack 3D structural data from X-ray crystallography.

Purpose:

To detail the application of AFM for imaging proteins, particularly transmembrane proteins.
To highlight AFM's advantages in obtaining nanoscale structural information.
To explain AFM's force curve measurements for molecular interactions.

Summary:

AFM utilizes a cantilever with a sharp probe to image non-conductive surfaces by measuring atomic forces.
The study explores AFM for visualizing single protein molecules, including transmembrane proteins, at the nanometer scale.
AFM imaging in aqueous solution provides insights into structures relevant to living cells and enables force measurements for molecular interactions like protein folding.

Impact:

AFM provides crucial nanoscale structural data for transmembrane proteins, complementing other structural biology methods.
Imaging in aqueous solution allows for the study of protein structures in a biologically relevant state.
Force curve analysis offers insights into protein dynamics and molecular recognition events.