Characterization of biological materials on the nano/mesa-scale by force microscopy

Abstract

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is now the most popular member of a family of techniques known as Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM). Over the years, the AFM in its various operational modes has become a rich source of information about attributes of surfaces and interfaces that cannot readily be obtained with conventional microscopy techniques. The functionality of the AFM is substantially unaffected by operation in air or a fluid environment. Hence, the living biosystems can be probed non-destructively in vitro.