An overview of the biophysical applications of atomic force microscopy

Santos, Nuno C.; Castanho, Miguel A. R. B.

doi:10.1016/j.bpc.2003.09.001

Cited by 200 publications

(123 citation statements)

References 187 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

122

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Since biological surfaces are soft, imaging either in the contact mode or in a dry environment is not preferred. Tapping mode AFM is commonly used [9][10][11][12][13]. For high resolution imaging, immobilization of the biological molecule is necessary to study biologically modified surfaces [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphology and adhesion of biomolecules on silicon based surfaces

et al. 2005

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphology and adhesion of biomolecules on silicon based surfaces

et al. 2005

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…The horizontal resolution of an SEM approaches atomic levels (0.1-0.5 nm), but the vertical resolution is considerably lower. With AFM, the measurement of surface roughness could be achieved by a vertical resolution of 0.01 nm and a horizontal resolution of 0.1-0.5 nm (Santos and Castanho, 2004). Figure 1A depicts an optical micrograph of the margin of mycelial ball.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting the chemical composition and structure of Aspergillus nidulans hyphal wall surface by atomic force microscopy

et al. 2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In fungi, cell wall plays an important role in growth and development. Major macromolecular constituents of the aspergilli cell wall are glucan, chitin, and protein. We examined the chemical composition and structure of the Aspergillus nidulans hyphal wall surface by an atomic force microscope (AFM). To determine the composition of the cell wall surface, the adhesion forces of commercially available beta-glucan, chitin, and various proteins were compared to those of corresponding fractions prepared from the hyphal wall. In both setups, the adhesion forces of beta-glucan, chitin, and protein were 25-50, 1000-3000, and 125-300 nN, respectively. Adhesion force analysis demonstrated that the cell surface of the apical tip region might contain primarily chitin and beta-glucan and relatively a little protein. This analysis also showed the chemical composition of the hyphal surface of the mid-region would be different from that of the apical region. Morphological images obtained by the tapping mode of AFM revealed that the hyphal tip surface has moderate roughness.

show abstract

“…The disorders in the structure of kidney tubules may lead to disturbed reabsorption of amino acids, sugars, polypeptides and especially, as distal tubules are more affected, to impaired sodium reabsorption and to disturbances in the regulation of acid-base balance. Of the microscopy techniques used in this study atomic force microscopy is relatively less common for investigating biological objects but its applications are rapidly expanding (Santos and Castanho 2004). Usually for atomic force microscopy resin-embedded specimens are used, as also in our study enabling to demonstrate threedimensionally vesicles in tubular epithelial cells, but scanning in liquid environment of non-fixed and nonembedded tissues can open new perspectives by revealing ultrastructural details close to their native state.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Altered renal morphology in transgenic mice with cholecystokinin overexpression

et al. 2008

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although cholecystokinin is a regulatory peptide with a predominant role in the brain and the gastrointestinal tract, there is an increasing evidence for its role in the kidney. The aim of this study was to reveal morphological changes in the structure of kidney of mice with cholecystokinin overexpression by means of light, transmission and scanning electron microscope, and atomic force microscopy. Using immunohistochemistry the expression of important basement membrane proteins collagen IV, laminin and fibronectin, as well the distribution of cholecystokinin-8 in the renal structures was evaluated. The altered morphology of kidneys of mice with cholecystokinin overexpression was seen by all microscopic techniques used. The renal corpuscles were relatively small with narrow capsular lumen. The basement membranes of renal tubules were thickened and the epithelial cells were damaged, which was more pronounced for distal tubules. Characteristic feature was the increased number of vesicles seen throughout the epithelial cells of proximal and especially in distal tubules reflecting to the enhanced cellular degeneration. The relative expression of laminin but not collagen IV in the glomerular basement membrane was higher than in the tubular basement membranes. The content of fibronectin, in opposite, was higher in tubular membranes. Cholecystokinin-8 was clearly expressed in the glomeruli, in Bowman's capsule, in proximal and distal tubules, and in collecting ducts. Ultrastructural studies showed irregularly thickened glomerular basement membranes to which elongated cytopodia of differently shaped podocytes were attached. As foot processes were often fused the number of filtration pores was decreased. In conclusion, cholecystokinin plays important role in renal structural formation and in functioning as different aspects of urine production in mice with cholecystokinin overexpression are affected-the uneven glomerular basement membrane thickening, structural changes in podocytes and in filtration slits affect glomerular filtration, while damaged tubular epithelial cells and changed composition of thickened tubular basement membranes affect reabsorption.

show abstract

An overview of the biophysical applications of atomic force microscopy

Cited by 200 publications

References 187 publications

Morphology and adhesion of biomolecules on silicon based surfaces

Morphology and adhesion of biomolecules on silicon based surfaces

Predicting the chemical composition and structure of Aspergillus nidulans hyphal wall surface by atomic force microscopy

Altered renal morphology in transgenic mice with cholecystokinin overexpression

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About