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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...

Overview of Microscopy Techniques

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2025

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping

Published on: October 24, 2014

Atomic Force Microscopy: An Introduction.

Yuzhen Feng¹, Wouter H Roos²

¹Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|October 12, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) offers high-resolution 3D imaging and mechanical property analysis of nano-sized particles and biomolecules. Advanced AFM techniques enable dynamic studies in physiological conditions.

Keywords:

Atomic force microscope (AFM)Bimodal imaging Biological applications Cantilever Contact mode Force spectroscopy High-speed AFM Intermittent contact mode Nanoindentation Topography

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Force Spectroscopy of Single Protein Molecules Using an Atomic Force Microscope

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 13, 2025

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping

Published on: October 24, 2014

Protrusion Force Microscopy: A Method to Quantify Forces Developed by Cell Protrusions

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Force Spectroscopy of Single Protein Molecules Using an Atomic Force Microscope

Force Spectroscopy of Single Protein Molecules Using an Atomic Force Microscope

Published on: February 28, 2019

Area of Science:

Nanotechnology
Biophysics
Materials Science

Background:

High-resolution imaging of nano-sized particles is essential in biological sciences for single-particle analysis.
2D imaging is often insufficient; topography and mechanical properties are also required.
Imaging in physiological environments enhances biological relevance.

Purpose of the Study:

To discuss the principles and applications of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for studying biomolecules.
To highlight new developments in AFM, including bimodal and high-speed AFM (HS-AFM).
To demonstrate AFM's capability in analyzing static and dynamic single biomolecules and assemblies.

Main Methods:

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for high-resolution 3D imaging and surface topography.
Force spectroscopy mode for determining protein and membrane material properties.
Operation in both air and buffer solutions to mimic physiological conditions.

Main Results:

AFM provides detailed morphological information and quantitative mechanical properties of nano-scale samples.
Bimodal AFM and HS-AFM enable advanced analysis of molecular structures and dynamics.
AFM facilitates the study of biomolecules in near-physiological environments.

Conclusions:

AFM is a versatile, all-in-one instrument for comprehensive analysis of biomolecules.
Advanced AFM techniques significantly enhance the study of molecular dynamics and interactions.
AFM is crucial for understanding biological structures and functions at the single-molecule level.