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Single-particle chemical force microscopy to characterize virus surface chemistry
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
Biotechniques
|October 1, 2020
Summary
Chemical force microscopy precisely measures viral surface hydrophobicity and charge using functionalized atomic force microscope (AFM) probes. This helps predict how viruses interact with their environment.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Nanotechnology
- Virology
Background:
- Viral surface properties like hydrophobicity and charge are crucial for colloidal behavior and mobility.
- Understanding these properties is key to predicting viral environmental interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize viral surface hydrophobicity and charge using chemical force microscopy.
- To demonstrate a single-particle method for analyzing viral surface chemistry in liquid.
Main Methods:
- Utilized atomic force microscopy (AFM) with functionalized probes.
- Employed a hydrophobic methyl-modified AFM probe for hydrophobicity measurements.
- Used AFM probes with carboxyl (negative) and quaternary amine (positive) terminations for surface charge analysis.
- Attached viruses covalently to a surface for single-particle analysis.
Main Results:
- Successfully measured viral surface hydrophobicity using a hydrophobic AFM probe.
- Quantified viral surface charge using charged AFM probes.
- Demonstrated the capability of chemical force microscopy for analyzing viral surface chemistry in liquid samples.
Conclusions:
- Chemical force microscopy provides a powerful tool for detailed analysis of viral surface properties at the single-particle level.
- Characterizing viral hydrophobicity and charge enhances the prediction of virus-environment interactions.
- This method requires minimal sample amounts and functionalized AFM probes.
