Properties of biomolecules measured from atomic force microscope images: a review

J Struct Biol. 1997 Jul;119(2):99-108. doi: 10.1006/jsbi.1997.3855.

Abstract

AFM images can be used to obtain quantitative or qualitative information about the properties of biomaterials. Examples presented here are: (1) Persistence length measurements of moving and stationary DNA molecules. (2) Force mapping to measure properties such as the elasticity of cells and vesicles. (3) Phase mode imaging to detect variations in materials and properties of the sample surface. (4) Imaging of surfaces at different constant forces.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteriophage lambda / chemistry
  • Cellulose / ultrastructure
  • DNA / ultrastructure*
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force*
  • Particle Size
  • Sperm Head / ultrastructure
  • Surface Properties
  • Synaptic Vesicles / ultrastructure*
  • Torpedo

Substances

  • Cellulose
  • DNA
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases