Atomic Force Microscopy Instrumentation

原子力显微镜(AFM)在研究生物分子和组织的超微结构和功能特性方面正变得越来越有用。DBEPS仪器研究和开发资源正在加强NIH的AFM能力，以支持IC科学项目的不同需求。已经获得了一套原子力显微镜仪器系统，并正在对其进行改造，以便对生物样品进行测量。已经开发出一种灌注室，使单个细胞能够被保留以进行检查，并允许操纵细胞外环境。利用DBEPS在光学、电子学、机械设计和其他领域的专业知识，人们正在寻求相关的仪器和定量分析方法，以促进AFM技术的发展，并将其应用于解决新的生物医学问题。协作性的壁内生物学项目包括对亚细胞蛋白质运输(NICHD)和表面修饰蛋白质相互作用动力学(NIDDK)至关重要的蛋白质网状蛋白及其组装体的粘弹性能量学的研究。原子力显微镜与近场扫描光学显微镜(NIAID)的集成正在通过与NIST的合作协议而进行，以开发和调整现有的仪器以应用于生物学问题。

The atomic force microscope (AFM) is becoming increasingly useful for studying ultra-structure and functional properties of biological molecules and tissue. The DBEPS Instrumentation Research and Development Resource is strengthening the AFM capabilities at NIH to support the diverse needs of IC scientific projects. An AFM instrument system has been obtained and is being adapted to allow measurements to be made of biological samples. A perfusion chamber has been developed to enable a single cell to be retained for examination and permitting manipulation of the extra-cellular environment. Using DBEPS expertise in optics, electronics, mechanical design, and other areas, associated instrumentation and quantitative analysis methods are being pursued to advance AFM technology and apply it to solve novel biomedical problems. Collaborative intramural biological projects include the investigation of the viscoelastic energetics of the protein clathrin and its assemblies that are important to subcellular protein trafficking (NICHD) and surface modified protein interaction dynamics (NIDDK). Integration of AFM with near-field scanning optical microscopy (NIAID) is being pursued through a collaborative agreement with NIST to develop and adapt existing instrumentation for application to biological problems.