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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 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

Molecular machines directly observed by high-speed atomic force microscopy.

¹Department of Physics, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan. tando@staff.kanazawa-u.ac.jp

|January 16, 2013

Summary

High-speed atomic force microscopy now allows direct visualization of dynamic molecular machines. This breakthrough reveals intricate protein dynamics, offering unprecedented insights into biological functions.

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Area of Science:

Biophysics
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Protein-based molecular machines are essential for biological functions.
Understanding their dynamic behavior requires high-resolution visualization.
Direct visualization of these machines in action has been technically challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

To demonstrate the capability of high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) for visualizing molecular machines.
To reveal the dynamic processes and structural changes of protein machines in real-time.
To provide deep insights into the functional mechanisms of key molecular machines.

Main Methods:

Utilized high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) for real-time imaging.
Captured dynamic high-resolution videos of molecular machines.
Analyzed structural dynamics and conformational changes during function.

Main Results:

Successfully visualized the dynamic movements of myosin V, F1-ATPase, and bacteriorhodopsin.
Revealed intricate details of their operational processes and structural fluctuations.
Obtained unprecedented high-resolution data on molecular machine mechanics.

Conclusions:

High-speed atomic force microscopy is a powerful tool for studying molecular machines.
Direct visualization provides deep insights into protein dynamics and functional mechanisms.
This technique opens new avenues for understanding complex biological processes at the molecular level.