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Related Concept Videos

Atomic Force Microscopy01:08

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 Techniques01:22

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...
Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

Studying the Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...

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Atomic Force Microscopy of Viruses.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Sample Preparation for Single Virion Atomic Force Microscopy and Super-resolution Fluorescence Imaging
05:31

Sample Preparation for Single Virion Atomic Force Microscopy and Super-resolution Fluorescence Imaging

Published on: January 2, 2014

Atomic force microscopy of viruses.

Pedro J de Pablo1

  • 1Department of Physics of the Condensed Matter, C03, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain, p.j.depablo@uam.es.

Sub-Cellular Biochemistry
|June 6, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) provides high-resolution imaging and physical characterization of specimens, including viruses. This adaptable technique allows real-time observation and mechanical manipulation of materials at the nanoscale.

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Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Sample Preparation for Single Virion Atomic Force Microscopy and Super-resolution Fluorescence Imaging
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Area of Science:

  • Nanotechnology
  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Atomic force microscopy (AFM) offers nanometric-resolution imaging and physical characterization capabilities.
  • AFM is versatile, applicable in various environments (air, vacuum, liquids) and across diverse sample sizes, from atoms to cells.
  • The technique enables real-time observation of dynamic processes and single-molecule experiments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the utility of AFM in characterizing the mechanical properties of viruses and biomolecular aggregates.
  • To demonstrate how AFM complements traditional structural techniques by providing mechanical insights.
  • To emphasize AFM's role in developing mechano-chemical structure/function models for molecular biomachines.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing AFM for high-resolution imaging of biological specimens.
  • Performing mechanical property measurements (stiffness, resilience) using AFM.
  • Conducting experiments in liquid environments to mimic physiological conditions for virus research.

Main Results:

  • AFM successfully acquires nanometric-resolution images of viruses and other biomolecular structures.
  • Mechanical properties like stiffness and resilience of viral particles can be quantified.
  • Dynamic processes and single-molecule interactions are observable in real-time.

Conclusions:

  • AFM is a powerful tool for nanoscale physical characterization, particularly for virus research.
  • Mechanical data obtained via AFM aids in understanding the structure-function relationships of biomolecular machines.
  • AFM expands the scope of molecular biomachine studies by enabling mechanical manipulation and analysis.