IDBR: Type A: Collaborative research: High-speed AFM imaging of dynamics on biopolymers through non-raster scanning

该奖项由生物基础设施部(BIO局)的生物研究仪器开发计划(IDBR)获得，由化学、生物工程、环境和运输系统司(CBET，工程局)的颗粒和多相过程(PMP)计划共同资助。非技术摘要该项目的主要目标是创建一种新型的高速原子力显微镜(AFM)成像系统，帧速率约为100帧/秒。虽然这一仪器的建立可能会对广泛的应用领域产生重大影响，但其主要目标是研究生物分子过程。极快的帧速率和远距离将允许动态过程的直接可视化，而以前只能通过间接手段来研究动态过程。该项目的跨学科性质为研究生和本科生的培训提供了极好的机会，并通过纳米和生物技术的暑期项目接触到了初中生。技术摘要该仪器的速度提升将通过两种方式实现。第一种方法是用反馈算法取代AFM的标准栅格扫描，该反馈算法将尖端保持在感兴趣的区域。这将通过减少要完成的扫描量来减少成像时间，但需要权衡待成像的样品必须具有与生物聚合物中发现的一样的潜在的线状结构。第二种方法是创建双阶段扫描系统，该系统将允许以超快的速度执行非光栅扫描。在部署用于研究分子马达肌球蛋白V的动力学之前，将建立一个原型系统并在各种标准样品上进行演示。该仪器和基本技术将通过期刊出版物和会议出版物以及通过与现有的AFM公司合作来传播，以将这些技术集成到他们的下一代设备中。

This award by the Instrument Development for Biological Research (IDBR) program in the Division of Biological Infrastructure (BIO Directorate) is co-funded by the Particulate and Multiphase Processes (PMP) program in the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET, Engineering Directorate).Non Technical AbstractThe primary aim of this project is to create a novel high-speed atomic force microscope (AFM) imaging system with frame rates of on the order of 100 frames/second. While the creation of this instrument may have a significant impact on a broad range of application areas, the primary target is the study of biomolecular processes. The extremely fast frame rate and long range will allow for the direct visualization of dynamic process that previously could be studied at best only through indirect means. The interdisciplinary nature of the project provides excellent opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate student training as well as outreach to middle- and high-school age students through summer programs on nano- and biotechnology.Technical AbstractThe speed gains of the instrument will be achieved in two ways. The first way is to replace the standard raster-scan of AFM with a feedback algorithm that steers the tip to stay in the region of interest. This will reduce imaging time by reducing the amount of scanning to be done, with the tradeoff that the sample to be imaged must have an underlying string-like structure such as is found in biopolymers. The second way is to create dual-stage scanning systems that will allow the non-raster scanning to be performed at ultra-fast speeds. A prototype system will be built and demonstrated on a variety of standard samples before being deployed to study the dynamics of the molecular motor myosin V. The instrument and underlying techniques will be disseminated through journal publication and conference publication and through collaboration with an existing AFM company to integrate the techniques in their next generation devices.