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Multiparametric imaging of biological systems by force-distance curve–based AFM

Nature Methods volume 10, pages 847–854 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

A current challenge in the life sciences is to understand how biological systems change their structural, biophysical and chemical properties to adjust functionality. Addressing this issue has been severely hampered by the lack of methods capable of imaging biosystems at high resolution while simultaneously mapping their multiple properties. Recent developments in force-distance (FD) curve–based atomic force microscopy (AFM) now enable researchers to combine (sub)molecular imaging with quantitative mapping of physical, chemical and biological interactions. Here we discuss the principles and applications of advanced FD-based AFM tools for the quantitative multiparametric characterization of complex cellular and biomolecular systems under physiological conditions.

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Figure 1: FD curve–based AFM reveals topography and quantitative maps of multiple properties of biological samples.
Figure 2: Recording FD curves using functionalized atomic force microscope tips to characterize physical, chemical and biological properties of biological samples.
Figure 3: FD-based AFM imaging and mapping of the mechanical properties of cells and viruses.
Figure 4: High-resolution FD-based AFM of native proteins.
Figure 5: High-resolution FD-based AFM mapping of chemical and biological sites on living cells.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) (ALTF 506-2012); Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF); Belgian National Foundation for Scientific Research (FNRS); Université Catholique de Louvain; Belgian Federal Office for Scientific, Technical and Cultural Affairs (Interuniversity Poles of Attraction Programme); and Research Department of the Communauté Française de Belgique (Concerted Research Action).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Life Sciences, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

    Yves F Dufrêne & David Alsteens

  2. Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Basel, Switzerland

    David Martínez-Martín, Izhar Medalsy & Daniel J Müller

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  1. Yves F Dufrêne
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Manuscript and figures were assembled and outlined by Y.F.D. and D.J.M. All authors contributed to writing the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Yves F Dufrêne or Daniel J Müller.

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Dufrêne, Y., Martínez-Martín, D., Medalsy, I. et al. Multiparametric imaging of biological systems by force-distance curve–based AFM. Nat Methods 10, 847–854 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth.2602

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