Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a potentially powerful tool for probing the structure of biological molecules. In this issue ( p. 902), Hinterdorfer and colleagues have come up with a new way of imaging antigenic sites on a surface, using an AFM tip with an antibody attached by a flexible tether. The method can be used to simultaneously acquire topographical and molecular recognition images, and so could eventually be used for assigning receptor sites to locations on topographical maps.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
DeWitt, N. Imaging antigens by force. Nat Biotechnol 17, 840 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/12817
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/12817