ABSTRACT
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies allow analyzing in details the molecularity of growth steps of tetragonal lysozyme crystals. AFM utilizes a sharp probe to scan across the surface of a sample with the laser being focused on the tip, and the beam being reflected to the split photodiode detector. There are different ways of performing this experiment. A constant frequency, which is continuously switched on, probes the energy levels while the magnetic field is varied. The techniques of elastic scattering of X-rays are widely used as they provide valuable tools to probe the order properties of protein crystals. Similarly the Microfocus beamline of the European Synchrotron Radiation in Grenoble is utilized to probe for the structure of several protein systems in diffracting crystals. Numerous probes have been emerging at the nanoscale level which is being used in developing new basic scientific knowledge, novel nanostructured materials and revolutionary applications to health and industry.
