New frontiers in atomic force microscopy: Analyzing interactions from single-molecules to cells

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Daniel J Müller - , Chair of Cellular Machines (Author)
  • Michael Krieg - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • David Alsteens - , Université catholique de Louvain (Author)
  • Yves F Dufrêne - , Université catholique de Louvain (Author)

Abstract

Originally invented for imaging surfaces, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has evolved into a multifunctional molecular toolkit, enabling us to investigate the interactions of biological systems over scales ranging from single-molecules to whole cells. Specific highlights include the nanoscale imaging of the chemical properties of individual cells, the detection and functional analysis of cell surface receptors using single-molecule force spectroscopy and the quantitative measurement of cellular interactions using single-cell force spectroscopy. These advanced force spectroscopy modalities offer new opportunities for understanding the molecular bases of cell adhesion processes, which is a fundamental challenge in current life science and biotech research.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4-13
Number of pages10
JournalCurrent opinion in biotechnology
Volume20
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2009
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 65449173267

Keywords

Keywords

  • Cell Adhesion/physiology, Microscopy, Atomic Force/methods, Models, Theoretical, Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism