The atomic force microscope (AFM) has become one of the leading nanoscale measurement techniques for materials science since its creation in the 1980's, but has been gaining popularity in a seemingly unrelated field of science: biology. The AFM naturally lends itself to investigating the topological surfaces of biological objects, from whole cells to protein particulates, and can also be used to determine physical properties such as Young's modulus, stiffness, molecular bond strength, surface friction, and many more. One of the most important reasons for the rise of biological AFM is that you can measure materials within a physiologically relevant environment (i.e. liquids). This book is a collection of works beginning with an introduction to the AFM along with techniques and methods of sample preparation. Then the book displays current research covering subjects ranging from nano-particulates, proteins, DNA, viruses, cellular structures, and the characterization of living cells.

About 40 % of current atomic force microscopy (AFM) research is performed in liquids, making liquid-based AFM a rapidly growing and important tool for the study of biological materials. This book focuses on the underlying principles and experimental aspects of AFM under liquid, with an easy-to-follow organization intended for new AFM scientists. The book also serves as an up-to-date review of new AFM techniques developed especially for biological samples. Aimed at physicists, materials scientists, biologists, analytical chemists, and medicinal chemists. An ideal reference book for libraries. From the contents: Part I: General Atomic Force Microscopy * AFM: Basic Concepts * Carbon Nanotube Tips in Atomic Force Microscopy with * Applications to Imaging in Liquid * Force Spectroscopy * Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid * Fundamentals of AFM Cantilever Dynamics in Liquid * Environments * Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy * High-Speed AFM for Observing Dynamic Processes in Liquid * Integration of AFM with Optical Microscopy Techniques Part II: Biological Applications * DNA and Protein-DNA Complexes * Single-Molecule Force Microscopy of Cellular Sensors * AFM-Based Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy * Nano-Surgical Manipulation of Living Cells with the AFM

The natural, biological, medical, and related sciences would not be what they are today without the microscope. After the introduction of the optical microscope, a second breakthrough in morphostructural surface analysis occurred in the 1940s with the development of the scanning electron microscope (SEM), which, instead of light (i. e. , photons) and glass lenses, uses electrons and electromagnetic lenses (magnetic coils). Optical and scanning (or transmission) electron microscopes are called “far-field microscopes” because of the long distance between the sample and the point at which the image is obtained in comparison with the wavelengths of the photons or electrons involved. In this case, the image is a diffraction pattern and its resolution is wavelength limited. In 1986, a completely new type of microscopy was proposed, which, without the use of lenses, photons, or electrons, directly explores the sample surface by means of mechanical scanning, thus opening up unexpected possibilities for the morphostructural and mechanical analysis of biological specimens. These new scanning probe microscopes are based on the concept of near-field microscopy, which overcomes the problem of the limited diffraction-related resolution inherent in conventional microscopes. Located in the immediate vicinity of the sample itself (usually within a few nanometers), the probe records the intensity, rather than the interference signal, thus significantly improving resolution. Since the most we- known microscopes of this type operate using atomic forces, they are frequently referred to as atomic force microscopes (AFMs).

The first U. S. Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center Atomic Force/Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (AFM/STM) Symposium was held on lune 8-10, 1993 in Natick, Massachusetts. This book represents the compilation of the papers presented at the meeting. The purpose ofthis symposium was to provide a forum where scientists from a number of diverse fields could interact with one another and exchange ideas. The various topics inc1uded application of AFM/STM in material sciences, polymers, physics, biology and biotechnology, along with recent developments inc1uding new probe microscopies and frontiers in this exciting area. The meeting's format was designed to encourage communication between members of the general scientific community and those individuals who are at the cutting edge of AFM, STM and other probe microscopies. It immediately became clear that this conference enabled interdisciplinary interactions among researchers from academia, industry and government, and set the tone for future collaborations. Expert scientists from diverse scientific areas including physics, chemistry, biology, materials science and electronics were invited to participate in the symposium. The agenda of the meeting was divided into three major sessions. In the first session, Biological Nanostructure, topics ranged from AFM ofDNA to STM imagmg ofthe biomoleeule tubulin and bacterialluciferase to the AFM of starch polymer double helices to AFM imaging of food surfaces.

This book aims to provide examples of applications of atomic force microscopy (AFM) using biological samples, showing different methods for AFM sample preparation, data acquisition and processing, and avoiding technical problems. Divided into two sections, chapters guide readers through image artifacts, process and quantitatively analyze AFM images, lipid bilayers, image DNA-protein complexes, AFM cell topography, single-molecule force spectroscopy, single-molecule dynamic force spectroscopy, fluorescence methodologies, molecular recognition force spectroscopy, biomechanical characterization, AFM-based biosensor setup, and detail how to implement such an in vitro system, which can monitor cardiac electrophysiology, intracellular calcium dynamics, and single cell mechanics. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Atomic Force Microscopy: Methods and Protocols is useful for researchers at different stages, from newcomers to experienced users, interested in new AFM applications.

Intermolecular and Surface Forces describes the role of various intermolecular and interparticle forces in determining the properties of simple systems such as gases, liquids and solids, with a special focus on more complex colloidal, polymeric and biological systems. The book provides a thorough foundation in theories and concepts of intermolecular forces, allowing researchers and students to recognize which forces are important in any particular system, as well as how to control these forces. This third edition is expanded into three sections and contains five new chapters over the previous edition. - Starts from the basics and builds up to more complex systems - Covers all aspects of intermolecular and interparticle forces both at the fundamental and applied levels - Multidisciplinary approach: bringing together and unifying phenomena from different fields - This new edition has an expanded Part III and new chapters on non-equilibrium (dynamic) interactions, and tribology (friction forces)

This book focuses primarily on the atomic force microscope and serves as a reference for students, postdocs, and researchers using atomic force microscopes for the first time. In addition, this book can serve as the primary text for a semester-long introductory course in atomic force microscopy. There are a few algebra-based mathematical relationships included in the book that describe the mechanical properties, behaviors, and intermolecular forces associated with probes used in atomic force microscopy. Relevant figures, tables, and illustrations also appear in each chapter in an effort to provide additional information and points of interest. This book includes suggested laboratory investigations that provide opportunities to explore the versatility of the atomic force microscope. These laboratory exercises include opportunities for experimenters to explore force curves, surface roughness, friction loops, conductivity imaging, and phase imaging.

Since its discovery, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has become a technique of choice for non-destructive surface characterization with sub-molecular resolution. The AFM has also emerged as a problem-solving tool in applications relevant to particle-solid and particle-liquid interactions, design, fabrication, and characterization of new materials, and development of new technologies for processing and modification of materials. This volume is a comprehensive review of AFM techniques and their application in adhesion studies. It is intended for both researchers and students in engineering disciplines, physics and biology. Over 100 authors contributed to this book, summarizing current status of research on measurements of colloidal particle-solid adhesion and molecular forces, solid surface imaging and mapping, and discussing the contact mechanics models applicable to particle-substrate and particle-particle systems.

Fundamentals and Application of Atomic Force Microscopy for Food Research explains how to get reliable AFM data and current application progress of AFM in different food substances. Sections focus on an Introduction to AFM for food research and Applications of AFM for different types of food substances. Edited by 3 experts in the field of nanotechnology and food science, this book reduces the difficulty of AFM application and shortens the learning time for new hands. Until now, no such book has systematically described the application of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for food research. Many scientists in the field of food science and engineering need to evaluate their developed foods and food contact surfaces at nanoscale. However, there is a steep learning curve for new hands, hence the need for this comprehensive resource. - Describes the application of AFM for food research - Covers applications of AFM for different types of food substances - Addresses future uses and perspectives of AFM for the development of food nanotechnology

Recent developments in atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been accomplished through various technical and instrumental innovations, including high-resolution and recognition imaging technology under physiological conditions, fast-scanning AFM, and general methods for cantilever modification and force measurement. All these techniques are now highly