Atomic force microscopy as an imaging tool to study the bio/nonbio complexes

Abstract

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) besides X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy is one of the most attractive methods to study bio/nonbio complexes. Information on how biomacromolecules interact with nanomaterials under different environmental conditions has important implications for the practice of nanomedicine and concerning the safety of nanomaterials. These complexes cover a broad range both in terms of stability and composition. AFM offers a wealth of structural and functional data about such assemblies. The variety of samples investigated using AFM in biology includes nanometre-sized proteins, lipids, DNA, amyloid fibrils, as well as larger objects such as cells. Herein we choose to review the significance of AFM to study various biological aspects of selected assemblies. We have focused on the exploitation of AFM operating in the air. The presented AFM research offers a unique and often unexpected insight into the structure and function of the bio/nonbio complexes.

Application of surface‐modified functional packaging in food storage: A comprehensive review

“…The deposition of CS on the surface of PP‐g‐PAA made the film smoother, as indicated by the range of Ra and image Z (Figure 3g). In addition to analyzing the surface through AFM, surface roughness can also be quantified by measuring the average roughness and root mean square of the AFM (Bednarikova et al., 2020). Studies on the grafting of poly(ethylene glycol) onto PA membrane composites have shown, through AFM analysis, that the surface morphology of the membrane changed due to the formation of the top poly(ethylene glycol) grafting layer.…”

Quartz crystal microbalance and atomic force microscopy to characterize mimetic systems based on supported lipids bilayer

“…In the last decades, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has become a common tool to study biological materials ( Bednarikova et al, 2020 ), ( Piontek and Roos, 2018 ), ( Dufrêne et al, 2017 ). Scanning probe microscopes, the family of instruments to which AFM belongs, were developed in the eighties, primarily as surface characterization instruments in solid material science ( Binnig and Rohrer, 1999 ).…”

Preface to StSPM2019EV special issue

“…In addition, it was presented a phenomenological and simple model to follow the evolution of the surface of thin films during their growth under nonstochastic deposition conditions on substrates characterised by high roughness, with the capability of reproducing synthetic depositions of different films and experimental contexts. 3 Bednarikova et al 2 reviewed several advancement in scanning probe techniques for biological applications, for example for the investigation of proteins, lipids and DNA, and also larger objects such as cells. A detailed application of atomic force microscopy for the variation of the mechanical properties of red blood cells (erythrocytes) due to spur cell anaemia and cold agglutinated disease is reported, aiming to develop erythrocyte-based mechanical biomarkers, useful for disease diagnosis and therapy monitoring.…”

“…Bednarikova et al 2 . reviewed several advancement in scanning probe techniques for biological applications, for example for the investigation of proteins, lipids and DNA, and also larger objects such as cells.…”