Atomic Force Microscopy in Biomedical Research: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology)

With its ability to explore the surface of the sample by means of a local scanning probe and its use of dedicated software allows to be visualize results, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has revolutionized the study of the smallest aspects of life.  Atomic Force Microscopy in Biomedical Research: Methods and Protocols proves that this technology is no longer simply just another form of microscopy but has given rise to a completely new way of using microscopy that fulfils the dreams of all microscopists: being able to touch, move, and interact with the sample while it is being examined, thus making it possible to discover not only morphological but also chemical and physical structural information. Covering such topics as molecule imaging, nanoscale surface analysis and cellular imaging, force-spectroscopy, investigating drug action, and AFM as a nanotool, this volume features the most up-to-date techniques currently in use.  Written in the Methods in Molecular Biology(TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and expert tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.  Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Atomic Force Microscopy in Biomedical Research: Methods and Protocols brings together different types of applications in order to provide examples from diverse fields in the hope of inspiring researchers to apply their ingenuity in their own specialization and add significant originality to their varying studies. Part I: The Basics of Atomic Force Microscopy   1. How the Atomic Force Microscope Works             Bruno Torre, Davide Ricci, and Pier Carlo Braga   2. Measurement Methods in Atomic Force Microscopy             Bruno Torre, Claudio Canale, Davide Ricci, and Pier Carlo Braga   3. Recognizing and Avoiding Artifacts in Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging             Claudio Canale, Bruno Torre, Davide Ricci, and Pier Carlo Braga   Part II: Molecule Imaging   4. Imaging the Spatial Orientation of Subunits within Membrane Receptors by Atomic Force Microscopy             Stewart M Carnally, J. Michael Edwardson, and Nelson P. Barrera   5. High Resolution Imaging of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) Antibodies and Other Biomolecules Using Amplitude Modulation Atomic Force Microscopy in Air             Sergio Santos and Neil H. Thomson   6. Atomic Force Microscopy of Ex vivo Amyloid Fibrils             Claudio Canale, Annalisa Relini, and Alessandra Gliozzi   7. Studying Collagen Self-Assembly by Time-Lapse High-Resolution Atomic Force Microscopy             Clemens M. Franz and Daniel J. Muller   8. Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging of Human Metaphase Chromosomes in Liquid             Osamu Hoshi and Tatsuo Ushiki   9. Atomic Force Microscopy of Proteasome Assemblies             Maria Gaczynska and Pawel A. Osmulski   10. Atomic Force Microscopy of Isolated Mitochondria             Bradley E. Layton and M. Brent Boyd   11. Imaging Native Membrane Proteins Using the Atomic Force Microscope             Andreas Engel   Part III: Nanoscale Surface Analysis and Cell Imaging   12. Atomic Force Microscopy Investigation of Viruses             Alexander McPherson and Yurii G. Kuznetsov   13. Determination of the Kinetic On and -Off Rate of Single Virus-Cell Interactions             Christian Rankl, Linda Wildling, Isabel Neundlinger, Ferry Kienberger, Hermann Gruber, Dieter Blaas, and Peter Hinterdorfer   14. Atomic Force Microscopy as a Tool for the Study of the Ultrastructure of Trypanosomatid Parasites             Wanderley de Souza, Gustavo M. Rocha, Kildare Miranda, Paulo M. Bisch, and Gilberto Weissmuller   15. Normal and Pathological Erythrocytes Studied by Atomic Force Microscopy             Andreas Ebner, Hermann Schillers, and Peter Hinterdorfer   16. The Growth Cones of Living Neurons Probed by the Atomic Force Microscope             Davide Ricci, Massimo Grattarola, and Mariateresa Tedesco   17. Highlights on Ultrastructural Pathology of Human Sperm             Narahari V. Joshi, Ibis Cruz, and Jesus A. Osuna   18. High-speed Atomic Force Microscopy and Biomolecular Processes             Takayuki Uchihashi and Toshio Ando   Part IV: Non-Topographical Applications (Force-Spectroscopy)   19. Atomic Force Microscopy in Mechanobiology: Measuring Micro-Elastic Heterogeneity of Living Cells             Evren U. Azeloglu and Kevin D. Costa   20. Force-Clamp Measurements of Receptor-Ligand Interactions             Flix Rico, Calvin Chu, and Vincent T. Moy   21. Measuring Cell Adhesion Forces: Theory and Principles             Martin Benoit and Christine Selhuber-Unkel   22. Nanoscale Investigation on E. coli Adhesion to Modified Silicone Surfaces             Ting Cao, Haiying Tang, Xuemei Liang, Anfeng Wang, Gregory W. Auner, Steven O. Salley, and K.Y. Simon Ng   Part V: Investigating Drug Action   23. Imaging Bacterial Shape, Surface, and Appendages Before and After Treatment with Antibiotics             Pier Carlo Braga and Davide Ricci   24. Thymol-Induced Alterations in Candida albicans Imaged by Atomic Force Microscopy             Pier Carlo Braga and Davide Ricci   25. Atomic Force Microscope-Enabled Studies of Integrin-Extracellular Matrix Interactions in Vascular Smooth Muscle and Endothelial Cells             Zhe Sun and Gerald A. Meininger   26. Atomic Force Microscopy Studies on Circular DNA Structural Changes by Vincristine and Aspirin             Zhongdang Xiao, Lili Cao, Dan Zhu, and Zuhong Lu   Part VI: Atomic Force Microscopy as a Nanotool   27. Combined Atomic Force Microscopy and Fluorescence Microscopy             Mikls S.Z. Kellermayer   28. Chemical Modifications of Atomic Force Microscopy Tips             Rgis Barattin and Normand Voyer   29. Atomic Force Microscopy as Nanorobot             Ning Xi, Carmen Kar Man Fung, Ruiguo Yang, King Wai Chiu Lai, Donna H. Wang, Kristina Seiffert-Sinha, Animesh A. Sinha, Guangyong Li, and Lianqing Liu