Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 15, 2026

OaAEP1-Mediated Enzymatic Synthesis and Immobilization of Polymerized Protein for Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy
Published on: February 5, 2020
AFM to Study Pore-Forming Proteins
Jonas Aufdermauer1, Joseph D Unsay2, Ana J García-Sáez3
1Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany.
Abstract:
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a form of contact microscopy that uses a very sharp tip to scan the surface of a sample. It provides a 3D image of the surface structure, and in the force mode, it can also be used to test the mechanical properties of the sample. AFM has been successfully applied to study the molecular mechanism of pore-forming proteins on model membranes. It gives information about both the structural reorganization of the membrane surface and the changes in the force required for membrane piercing upon incubation with this special type of proteins. Here, we describe robust protocols to investigate the effect of pore-forming proteins in supported lipid bilayers.
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Force Microscopy
The AFM Probe
The probe is regarded as the heart of any AFM setup and comprises the...
Studying the Cytoskeleton
Structure of Porins

