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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...

The DNA Helix

The DNA Helix

Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is the genetic material responsible for passing traits from generation to generation in all organisms and most viruses. DNA is composed of two strands of nucleotides that wind around each other to form a spring-like structure called a double helix. However, the double helix is not perfectly symmetrical. Instead, there are regularly occurring grooves in the structure. The major groove occurs where the sugar-phosphate backbones are relatively far apart. This space...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging of DNA Three-Point-Star Motif Self Assembly Using Photothermal Off-Resonance Tapping

High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging of DNA Three-Point-Star Motif Self Assembly Using Photothermal Off-Resonance Tapping

Published on: March 22, 2024

Recent highlights from atomic force microscopy of DNA.

H G Hansma¹, L I Pietrasanta, R Golan

¹a Department of Physics , University of California , Santa Barbara , CA , 93106.

Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics

|May 22, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) advances enable real-time observation of DNA enzymatic reactions and structural analysis of DNA-protein complexes. These techniques offer new insights into DNA processing, gene delivery, and cell division mechanisms.

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Last Updated: May 22, 2026

High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging of DNA Three-Point-Star Motif Self Assembly Using Photothermal Off-Resonance Tapping

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Published on: March 22, 2024

Probing The Structure And Dynamics Of Nucleosomes Using Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging

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Published on: January 31, 2019

Atomic Force Microscopy Investigations of DNA Lesion Recognition in Nucleotide Excision Repair

Atomic Force Microscopy Investigations of DNA Lesion Recognition in Nucleotide Excision Repair

Published on: May 24, 2017

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Molecular Biology
Nanotechnology

Background:

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful tool for visualizing biological molecules at the nanoscale.
Observing dynamic processes like enzymatic reactions in solution presents significant technical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

To present recent advancements in applying AFM to study DNA and DNA-protein interactions.
To showcase the capability of AFM in observing enzymatic reactions and structural details of DNA complexes.

Main Methods:

Utilizing advanced AFM techniques, including a new small-cantilever system.
Employing time-lapse imaging to capture dynamic events at high temporal resolution.
Analyzing structural properties of DNA and DNA-protein complexes.

Main Results:

Successfully observed enzymatic processing of DNA by E. coli RNA polymerase in near-physiological conditions.
Imaged DNA degradation by DNase I with high temporal resolution (2 seconds per image).
Provided structural insights into DNA condensation for gene delivery, sequence-dependent condensation, and a yeast kinetochore complex.

Conclusions:

AFM is a versatile technique for studying DNA dynamics and structures.
Recent AFM developments allow for unprecedented observation of biological processes at the molecular level.
These findings have implications for understanding gene regulation, gene delivery, and chromosome segregation.