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Atomic Force Microscopy

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...

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Updated: Oct 18, 2025

Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid Bilayers

Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid Bilayers

Published on: July 22, 2015

Lipid Self-Assemblies under the Atomic Force Microscope.

Aritz B García-Arribas¹, Félix M Goñi¹, Alicia Alonso¹

¹Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), Universidad del País Vasco, 48940 Leioa, Spain.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

|September 28, 2021

Summary

Model lipid membranes offer stable systems to study complex cell membrane behaviors like lipid self-assembly. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveals nanoscale lipid domains and their mechanical properties in these essential model systems.

Keywords:

atomic force microscopy cell membranes lipid assemblies model membranes nanodomains phospholipids sphingolipids supported planar bilayers

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Last Updated: Oct 18, 2025

Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid Bilayers

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Published on: December 20, 2016

Area of Science:

Membrane Biophysics
Lipid Self-Assembly
Nanoscale Science

Background:

Cellular membranes comprise diverse lipids, proteins, and sugars, facilitating complex biophysical processes.
Lipid self-assembly into nanoscale domains (nanodomains) is crucial but challenging to study in vivo due to their transient nature.
Model lipid membranes provide stable, controllable systems to investigate lipid behavior and interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

To review various lipid assemblies used as model membranes.
To describe Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) applications in studying model lipid membranes.
To discuss how model membranes and AFM have advanced understanding of membrane biophysics, including domain formation and support effects.

Main Methods:

Utilizing diverse lipid assemblies as model membrane systems.
Employing Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to detect and quantify nanodomains.
Analyzing the impact of supports and cytoskeleton on lipid domain behavior and bilayer mechanics.

Main Results:

Model lipid membranes exhibit enhanced phase stability and allow precise compositional control.
AFM effectively detects meso- and nanodomains and quantifies their nanomechanical resistance.
Studies reveal how model membrane variability and external factors influence domain size and leaflet coupling.

Conclusions:

Model lipid membranes are indispensable for elucidating fundamental membrane biophysics.
AFM is a key technique for characterizing lipid nanodomains and their mechanical properties.
Research on model systems significantly enhances our comprehension of cellular membrane organization and function.