Atomic Force Microscopy-Based Force Spectroscopy and Multiparametric Imaging of Biomolecular and Cellular Systems.

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Nanotechnology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has undergone significant technological advancements over the past 30 years.
• These improvements have transformed AFM into a versatile nanoscopic laboratory for biological research.
• AFM enables direct observation and chemical characterization of biological systems under physiological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review key technological advancements establishing AFM as an analytical tool for biological systems.
• To showcase methods for customizing AFM for nanoscopic chemical analysis.
• To discuss the application of various AFM modes for imaging, sensing, and manipulating biosystems.

Main Methods:

• Review of technological improvements in Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
• Functionalization of AFM tips for customized nanoscopic chemical laboratories.
• Application of different AFM modes for high-resolution imaging, sensing, and manipulation of biosystems.

Main Results:

• AFM can observe and quantify native biological systems from micro- to nanoscale.
• Customizable AFM tips allow for specific chemical characterization of biomolecules.
• AFM provides (sub)nanometer spatial and millisecond temporal resolution for biosystem analysis.

Conclusions:

• AFM is a powerful analytical tool for studying native biological systems.
• Theoretical approaches can extract kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of biomolecular interactions.
• Combining AFM with optical techniques offers potential for addressing complex biological challenges.