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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: Mar 31, 2026

Sample Preparation for Single Virion Atomic Force Microscopy and Super-resolution Fluorescence Imaging

Sample Preparation for Single Virion Atomic Force Microscopy and Super-resolution Fluorescence Imaging

Published on: January 2, 2014

Using atomic force microscopy for physical virology: touching and manipulating single virus particles.

Alejandro Díez-Martínez¹, Klara Strobl¹, A Cámara-Ballesteros¹

¹Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada and IFIMAC, Madrid, 28049 Spain.

Biophysical Reviews

|March 30, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images viruses with high resolution. AFM also probes virus biomechanics, manipulates particles, and observes genome release, offering versatile tools for virology research.

Keywords:

Aqueous solution Assembly Atomic force microscopy Beam deflection Cantilever DNA condensation Disassembly Force curve Mechanical fatigue Nanoindentation Stylus Tip Topography

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Area of Science:

Nanotechnology
Virology
Biophysics

Background:

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a high-resolution imaging technique.
AFM can analyze virus particles at the nanoscale.
Understanding virus-surface interactions and mechanical properties is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

To outline fundamental aspects of virus adsorption and imaging using AFM.
To detail methods for probing viral mechanical properties and triggering genome release.
To demonstrate AFM's utility in nanomanipulation and adhesion strength estimation.

Main Methods:

AFM imaging of virus particles on surfaces.
Single-indentation experiments and mechanical fatigue protocols for mechanical property analysis.
Nanomanipulation to move viruses and measure adhesion forces.

Main Results:

Demonstrated virus adsorption behavior (TGEV coronavirus).
Quantified mechanical properties of Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) and viral coat proteins.
Showcased AFM-induced genome release in Minute Virus of Mice (MVM).

Conclusions:

AFM provides high-resolution imaging and valuable insights into viral biomechanics.
AFM enables manipulation of individual virus particles and assessment of adhesion.
AFM is a powerful tool for studying virus assembly, disassembly, and interactions.