ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the applications of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in nanobiotechnology. The AFM is more than just a “microscope”; it is a versatile tool capable of not only imaging but also force measurements, patterning, and manipulation of samples. AFM is unique compared to typical microscopes, especially in the way an image is formed. The light microscope and the transmission electron microscope both form an image primarily based on the diffraction of an incident beam. The AFM has played an important role in studies of cellular and tissue surface ultrastructures, and in providing insight into uptake of substances or nanoparticles by cells. One major limitation of AFM for biological imaging is the inability to transcend the specimen surface to capture the internal features of a sample. AFM offers new insight into the process of protein folding and unfolding without the need to denature the proteins with chemicals or temperature.
