LDRD Final Report 01-ERI-001 Probing the Properties of Cells and Cell Surfaces with the Atomic Force Microscope

McElfresh, M ; Belak, J ; Rudd, R ; Balhorn, R

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

关键词: Biological Materials;    Monitoring;    59 Basic Biological Sciences;    Atomic Force Microscopy;    Cell Membranes;   

DOI  :  10.2172/15013864
RP-ID  :  UCRL-TR-202443
RP-ID  :  W-7405-ENG-48
RP-ID  :  15013864

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

We have developed new techniques based on atomic force microscopy (AFM) to image, and to quantify the strength of, specific receptor sites on the membrane of a living cell. AFM has developed rapidly during the past decade, providing nanometer scale resolution in the imaging of biological materials ranging in size from single molecules to intact cells. By monitoring the cantilever deflection during approach-retraction cycles (i.e. force-volume curves), the unbinding forces have been determined for various ligand-receptor pairs. It is now possible to use a single receptor molecule bound to the tip of an AFM cantilever to map the locations of ligands bound on solid surfaces, opening the door for new ''recognition mapping'' methods. The goal of our project was to develop recognition mapping for living cells and cell membranes, a major step forward.