Characterization of Microfabricated Probes for Combined Atomic Force and High-Resolution Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

Gullo, Maurizio R.; Frederix, P. L. T. M.; Akiyama, T.; Engel, Andréas; deRooij, N. F.; Staufer, U.

doi:10.1021/ac0521495

Cited by 58 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…In this fascinating situation it will be possible to directly correlate protein partitioning with the modification of their activity. In this context the activity of AFM cantilevers and tips modification in order to make them able to measure ion currents in solution already started (Menozzi et al, 2005;Gullo et al, 2006). AFM applied in the force spectroscopy mode to membrane proteins will also increase our knowledge about the intra and inter-molecular interactions of these proteins which are relevant to drive protein folding, oligomerization and functional activity (Janovjak et al, 2008).…”

Section: Conclusion and Future Trendsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unraveling lipid/protein interaction in model lipid bilayers by Atomic Force Microscopy

Alessandrini

Facci

2011

J of Molecular Recognition

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The current view of the biological membrane is that in which lipids and proteins mutually interact to accomplish membrane functions. The lateral heterogeneity of the lipid bilayer can induce partitioning of membrane-associated proteins, favoring protein-protein interaction and influence signaling and trafficking. The Atomic Force Microscope allows to study the localization of membrane-associated proteins with respect to the lipid organization at the single molecule level and without the need for fluorescence staining. These features make AFM a technique of choice to study lipid/protein interactions in model systems or native membranes. Here we will review the technical aspects inherent to and the main results obtained by AFM in the study of protein partitioning in lipid domains concentrating in particular on GPI-anchored proteins, lipidated proteins, and transmembrane proteins. Whenever possible, we will also discuss the functional consequences of what has been imaged by Atomic Force Microscopy.

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Section: Conclusion and Future Trendsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unraveling lipid/protein interaction in model lipid bilayers by Atomic Force Microscopy

Alessandrini

Facci

2011

J of Molecular Recognition

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“…Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images revealed that tips with such a well pronounce hysteresis showed also an important gap between the electrode and the insulation at the apex. Theoretical modeling confirmed that this gap was responsible for the hysteresis [4]; it acted like a reservoir of ions, which could only be refreshed by slow diffusion through the narrow opening at the tip apex.…”

Section: Nanotools For Biologymentioning

confidence: 89%

“…It was important to realize that when operating such a probe in a buffer solution one actually conducts an electrochemical experiment [4]. Therefore it was essential, that these probes were first characterized by cyclic voltamograms and electrochemical feedback measurements and second, that the future, routinely performed biological experiments are also to be conducted at the correct potentials under potentiostatic control [5].…”

Section: Nanotools For Biologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Micro- and nanosystems for biology and medicine

Staufer

Akiyama

Gullo

et al. 2007

Microelectronic Engineering

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The development of new tools and instruments for biomedical applications based on nano-(NEMS) or microelectromechanical systems technology (MEMS) are bridging the gap between the macro-and the nano-world. The well mastered microtechnique allows controlling many parameters of these instruments, which is essential for conducting reproducible and repeatable experiments in the life sciences. Examples are multifunctional scanning probe sensors for cell biology, an arthroscopic scanning force microscope for minimally invasive medical interventions and a nanopore sensor for single molecule experiments in biochemistry. This paper reviews some of the activities conducted in a fruitful interdisciplinary collaboration between physicists, engineers, biologists and physicians.Keywords: Microsystems; Nanosystems; Cell biology; AFM; Nanopore; Protein; Cartilage; Minimal invasive instrument Nanotools for biologyIn cell and structural biology the typical dimensions are spanning the length scales from a few nanometers up to centimeters. The objects of interest are very delicate and often mechanically soft, hence, investigating their functions calls for gentle and precise instruments. Very often several parameters should be simultaneously controlled in such experiments and a more or less complex system of tools is required. An appealing implementation of such systems is to employ micro-and nanofabrication techniques.Plain atomic force microscope [AFM] probes have proven to provide images of membrane proteins with subnanometer resolution in the past [1]. In order to study structural changes in voltage gated channel proteins at this level of resolution, we have developed a probe, which features a conductive tip [2]. The metal is insulated up to the apex (Fig. 1) such that Faradaic currents in buffer solutions are minimal. Different metals were tested, and PtSi proofed to be the best choice from a fabrication point of view [3]. The basic concept for fabricating such a probe followed that of standard molded silicon nitride tips. We employed anisotropic KOH etching of silicon (1 0 0)-wafers through a silicon nitride mask in order to form small pyramidal etch-pits. In one of these pits the tip will be formed. An array of them will be used as contact area. All pits were sharpened by a local low-temperature oxidation process, followed by a deposition of a thin layer of polycrystalline Si. The latter was lithographically patterned such that a thin line connection between the tip mold and the array of pits was formed. Platinum was evaporated on the full wafer and then annealed in order to form the silicide. Residual Pt was removed, and a second silicon nitride layer was deposited by means of low pressure chemical vapor deposition [LPCVD] in order to fully encapsulate the metal structure. The cantilevers were patterned by lithography and reactive ion etching [RIE], a pre-structured Pyrex-glass wafer was bonded to the nitride, and the silicon substrate was dissolved in KOH. The final step was a timed etching in buffered hydrofluoric ...

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“…Thus, several groups have developed a combined AFM-SECM method which represents a significant advance in SPM methodology. [14,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] Indeed, AFM gives high-resolution topographic information and is able to precisely control the distance between the sample and the probe, whereas SECM can provide detailed information on local anodic or cathodic processes. Thus, electrochemical images can be analyzed with full know-A C H T U N G T R E N N U N G ledge of the corresponding surface topography.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Localized Electrografting of Vinylic Monomers on a Conducting Substrate by Means of an Integrated Electrochemical AFM Probe

et al. 2009

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Combinations of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) with other scanning probe microscopy techniques, such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), show great promise for directing localized modification, which is of great interest for chemical, biochemical and technical applications. Herein, an atomic force scanning electrochemical microscope is used as a new electrochemical lithographic tool (L-AFM-SECM) to locally electrograft, with submicrometer resolution, a non-conducting organic coating on a conducting substrate.

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Characterization of Microfabricated Probes for Combined Atomic Force and High-Resolution Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

Cited by 58 publications

References 44 publications

Unraveling lipid/protein interaction in model lipid bilayers by Atomic Force Microscopy

Unraveling lipid/protein interaction in model lipid bilayers by Atomic Force Microscopy

Micro- and nanosystems for biology and medicine

Localized Electrografting of Vinylic Monomers on a Conducting Substrate by Means of an Integrated Electrochemical AFM Probe

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