Positioning single atoms with a scanning tunnelling microscope

Eigler, D. M.; Schweizer, E. K.

doi:10.1038/344524a0

Cited by 3,041 publications

(1,611 citation statements)

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“…The AFM has also been employed to physically interact with the sample under investigation as a nanomanipulator for the mechanical movement of atoms (Eigler & Schweizer, 1990), fabricating nanoelectronics (Piner et al, 1999), and for molecular force measurements (Colton et al, 1997) among others. In this study, we used the AFM to both: (1) make precise nano/micro punctures to the membranes of the nerve cell body (soma) and the terminal ends of growing neurites, and (2) subsequently image the same cell after withdrawing the AFM's nanoprobe from the surface.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Three-dimensional imaging of living and dying neurons with atomic force microscopy

McNally

Borgens

2004

J Neurocytol

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Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has been used to image the morphology of developing neurons and their processes. Additionally, AFM can physically interact with the cell under investigation in numerous ways. Here we use the AFM to both three-dimensionally image the neuron and to inflict a nano/micro-puncture to its membrane. Thus, the same instrument used as a tool to precisely penetrate/cut the membrane at the nanoscale level is employed to image the morphological responses to damage. These first high resolution AFM images of living chick dorsal root ganglion cells and cells of sympathetic ganglion and their growing processes provide confirmation of familiar morphologies. The increased resolution of the AFM revealed these structures to be significantly more complex and variable than anticipated. Moreover we describe novel, dynamic, and unreported architectures, particularly large dorsally projecting ridges, spines, and ribbons of cytoplasm that appear and disappear on the order of minutes. In addition, minute (ca. 100 nm) hair-like extensions of membrane along the walls of nerve processes that also shift in shape and density, appearing and disappearing over periods of minutes were seen. We also provide "real time'' images of the death of the neuron cell body after nano/micro scale damage to its membrane. These somas excreted their degraded cytoplasm, revealed as an enlarging pool beneath and around the cell. Conversely, identical injury, even repeated perforations and nanoslices, to the neurite's membrane do not lead to demise of the process. This experimental study not only provides unreported neurobiology and neurotrauma, but also emphasizes the unique versatility of AFM as an instrument that can (1) physically manipulate cells, (2) provide precise quantitative measurements of distance, surface area and volume at the nanoscale if required, (3) derive physiologically significant data such as membrane pressure and compliance, and (4) during the same period of study-provide unexcelled imaging of living samples.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Three-dimensional imaging of living and dying neurons with atomic force microscopy

McNally

Borgens

2004

J Neurocytol

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“…Looking ahead, next year marks 100 years since the discovery of superconductivity and 20 years since Sumio Iijima's first paper on the carbon nanotube. And, as Chris Toumey reminds us on page 239, it is 20 years since researchers at IBM's Almaden Research Center in San Jose reported that they had used a scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) to write the name of their company on a nickel surface with 35 xenon atoms 1 .…”

Section: Editorialmentioning

confidence: 99%

A brief history of some landmark papers

2010

Nature Nanotech

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“…This will often involve attempts to imitate everyday tasks or to miniaturize everyday objects. Letters, words and countless university crests have been written on the nanoscale, most famously when the letters 'IBM' were spelt out with 35 xenon atoms on a nickel surface using a scanning tunnelling microsope 1,2 . Alternatively, actions such as bipedal walking have been mimicked using DNA molecules that can 'walk' along tracks made of DNA 3 .…”

Section: Editorialmentioning

confidence: 99%

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2010

Nature Nanotech

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Positioning single atoms with a scanning tunnelling microscope

Cited by 3,041 publications

References 6 publications

Three-dimensional imaging of living and dying neurons with atomic force microscopy

Three-dimensional imaging of living and dying neurons with atomic force microscopy

A brief history of some landmark papers

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