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Atomic
force microscope a new investigation tool in microbiology
Abstract: Atomic
force microscope (AFM) belongs to the family of scanning force
microscopes, which are used for measuring of the surface
properties of materials. Such microscope generates nanometer
resolved, three-dimensional images. The ability of the AFM to
image non-conductive surfaces in aqueous solutions allows the
investigating of biological systems under near physiological
conditions. For this reason AFM is being used increasingly in
biology, especially in microbiology. In this review, after a short
introduction to AFM technique and sample preparation protocol, we
discuss the most common applications of this technique in
microbiology. AFM has been used for visualizing the surface
ultrastructure of microbial cell, surface layers and
examining the morphology of bacterial biofilms. It allows
imaging and micro-manipulation of such individual molecules as DNA
or protein. AFM can also provide information on local surface
properties such as viscoelasticity and surface forces.
1. Introduction
2. The principles of working of AFM 3. Measurments of
intermolecular forces 4. Sample preparation 5. Application
of AFM in microbiology 6. Investigation of surface
ultrastructure and morphology 6.1. Microbial cell 6.2. Bacterial
biofilm 6.3. Cell surface layers and theirs components 7. Visualizing
of DNA 8. Physicochemical properties 8.1. Surface forces
8.2. Mechanical properties 9. Summary
Praca
zostala wykonana w ramach projektu KBN nr 3 PO5A 142 22. Autorzy
dziękują dr Bengtowi Danielssonowi z Uniwersytetu w Lund za
udostępnienie mikroskopu AFM i dr Igorowi Budashov z
Uniwersytetu im. Łomonosowa w Moskwie za wprowadzenie do mikroskopii
AFM oraz mgr Annie Kamińskiej z Politechniki Wrocławskiej za
wykonanie zdjęć na SEM. |
