Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Atomic Force Microscopy01:08

Atomic Force Microscopy

4.6K
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...
4.6K
Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

Studying the Cytoskeleton

10.3K
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...
10.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Editors' Note.

DNA repair·2026
Same author

ATR kinase inhibitors induce mitochondrial fission in CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells and impair immune memory <i>in vivo</i>.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

A dynamic search mechanism enables APE1 to identify AP-sites in DNA.

Nucleic acids research·2026
Same author

Molecular basis of nick ligation in the nucleosome by DNA Ligase IIIα.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

A non-catalytic role for RFC in PCNA-mediated processive DNA synthesis.

Cell·2026
Same author

Molecular determinants of Smc5/6 association with DNA junctions.

Nature communications·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Visualization of Recombinant DNA and Protein Complexes Using Atomic Force Microscopy
08:30

Visualization of Recombinant DNA and Protein Complexes Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: July 18, 2011

23.1K

Studying protein-DNA interactions using atomic force microscopy.

Emily C Beckwitt1, Muwen Kong1, Bennett Van Houten2

  • 1Program in Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|July 5, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images protein-DNA interactions, revealing binding specificity, affinity, and structural changes. This review highlights AFM

Keywords:
Atomic force microscopyBinding specificityDNA bendingProtein-DNA interactionStoichiometry

More Related Videos

Force Spectroscopy of Single Protein Molecules Using an Atomic Force Microscope
06:45

Force Spectroscopy of Single Protein Molecules Using an Atomic Force Microscope

Published on: February 28, 2019

9.5K
Probing The Structure And Dynamics Of Nucleosomes Using Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging
09:52

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

Published on: January 31, 2019

12.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Visualization of Recombinant DNA and Protein Complexes Using Atomic Force Microscopy
08:30

Visualization of Recombinant DNA and Protein Complexes Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: July 18, 2011

23.1K
Force Spectroscopy of Single Protein Molecules Using an Atomic Force Microscope
06:45

Force Spectroscopy of Single Protein Molecules Using an Atomic Force Microscope

Published on: February 28, 2019

9.5K
Probing The Structure And Dynamics Of Nucleosomes Using Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging
09:52

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

Published on: January 31, 2019

12.2K

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Atomic force microscopy (AFM) enables high-resolution topographic imaging of biological samples.
  • Understanding protein-DNA interactions is crucial in molecular biology and genetics.
  • AFM provides a unique tool to visualize these interactions at the single-molecule level.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the applications of AFM in studying protein-DNA interactions.
  • To discuss the advantages and limitations of AFM for analyzing these molecular processes.
  • To highlight technological advancements that will further enhance AFM's capabilities in this field.

Main Methods:

  • Topographic imaging of protein-DNA complexes using Atomic Force Microscopy.
  • Analysis of single protein-DNA binding events.
  • Characterization of protein-induced DNA structural modifications.

Main Results:

  • AFM can reveal protein binding specificity, affinity, and stoichiometry.
  • Changes in DNA structure, complex conformation, and cooperativity are observable.
  • AFM allows for the detailed analysis of single binding reactions.

Conclusions:

  • AFM is a powerful technique for studying protein-DNA interactions at the nanoscale.
  • The method offers insights into molecular mechanisms not accessible by other techniques.
  • Future technological improvements will expand the scope and precision of AFM in this research area.