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Atomic force microscopy as a multifunctional molecular toolbox in nanobiotechnology

Nature Nanotechnology volume 3, pages 261–269 (2008)Cite this article

Nanobiotechnology — the characterization, design and application of biological systems at the nanometre scale — is a rapidly evolving area at the crossroads of nanoscience, biology and engineering1,2. One fascinating challenge in nanobiotechnology is the bottom-up design and operation of nanoscale machines and motors made up of supramolecular systems3,4. The molecular components of these systems are typically cellular machineries such as haemolysin5, porin6, myosin7, kinesin8, RNA polymerase9 and ATP synthase10. These machines can be set in motion in a controlled manner to work as bio-inspired nanoscale valves, engines, motors and shuttles.

Molecular interactions make up the basic language of all biological processes. They determine how molecules assemble into complex functional structures and switch these cellular machineries 'on' or 'off'. In addition, molecular interactions control the way that cells communicate with each other, and form higher-ordered organisms. Remarkably, AFM can measure interactions between and within single biomolecules, giving us clues on how cells direct adhesion between themselves. Such information is important for understanding tissue development, tumour metastasis, bacterial infection and an almost uncountable number of medical and biotechnological questions. AFM can also be used to determine the energy landscape of molecular recognition events and protein folding pathways. AFM is clearly emerging as a powerful, multifunctional nanoscale tool, flourishing in modern biological and medical laboratories, and opening up exciting new possibilities for nanobiotechnologists (Fig. 1).

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Figure 1: AFM techniques to characterize and manipulate biological systems on the nanometre scale.
Figure 2: Observing the individuality of cellular machines at high resolution.
Figure 3: Single molecule manipulation, control and design.
Figure 4: Nanoscale functional imaging of single live cells.

© 2008 BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY © 2008 BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY © 2007 ACS © 2007 ACS © 2007 ACS © 2007 ACS

Figure 5: Microfabricated cantilever arrays as label-free biosensors.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge support from the National Foundation for Scientific Research (FNRS), the Région wallonne, the Université catholique de Louvain (Fonds Spéciaux de Recherche), the Federal Office for Scientific, Technical and Cultural Affairs (Interuniversity Poles of Attraction Programme), the Research Department of Communauté Française de Belgique (Concerted Research Action), the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), the European Union and the Free State of Saxony. Y.F.D. is a Research Associate of the FNRS.

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  1. Biotechnology Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, Dresden, D-01307, Germany

    Daniel J. Müller

  2. Unité de Chimie des Interfaces, Université Catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 2/18, Louvain-la-Neuve, B-1348, Belgium

    Yves F. Dufrêne

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Correspondence to Daniel J. Müller or Yves F. Dufrêne.

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Müller, D., Dufrêne, Y. Atomic force microscopy as a multifunctional molecular toolbox in nanobiotechnology. Nature Nanotech 3, 261–269 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2008.100

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