ABSTRACT
The atomic force microscope (AFM) is a powerful nanoscale instrument that is capable of simultaneously imaging biomolecules and measuring the forces between biomolecules attached to the probe and the surface. In this review, we provide an introduction to the experimental and theoretical considerations that are involved in studying single molecular interactions with the AFM. We start by dening the performance of the AFM and types of biomolecular interactions that have been characterized with it. We then describe the surface chemistries that are most commonly used to immobilize biomolecules to AFM surfaces and introduce the theoretical framework for the analysis of the nonequilibrium kinetics of single molecule interactions. Specic molecular interactions for a model cell adhesion molecule are analyzed to introduce how the technique is implemented. We conclude with a brief consideration of the emerging applications of single molecule measurements.
