Scanning probe and holographic micrscopy

该研究将应用原子力显微镜（AFM）以及荧光和全息显微镜在凝聚态物理和生物物理的各种问题。目的之一是了解导致细菌细胞分裂的详细分子机制。特别是，AFM将用于获得磷脂膜上的Min蛋白质的图像。这将显示在细胞分裂中起作用的分子如何与细菌包膜的内壁结合。 AFM还将用于测量活细菌表面上的蛋白质与附着在AFM尖端上的适当抗体的结合，目的是绘制细菌表面上蛋白质分布的地图。此外，将进行细菌壁中的应力承载层的高分辨率成像，以解决长期存在的关于该细胞组分的详细分子结构的问题。该层使细胞稳定地抵抗内部压力，但该层还必须允许分子通过细胞壁。 因此，重要的是要了解细胞功能，也为抗菌剂的发展，以发现正确的结构，这一应力承受层。可见光数字同轴全息显微术（DIHM）已达到亚微米分辨率。我们的研究将DIHM测量扩展到红外，这将在软物质研究和医学中开辟潜在的新应用领域。

The research will apply Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) as well as, Fluorescence and Holographic microscopy to a variety of problems in condensed matter physics and biophysics. One objective is to understand the detailed molecular mechanisms that lead to cell division in bacteria. In particular, AFM will be used to obtain images of Min proteins on phospholipids membranes. This will show how molecules, that play a role in cell division, associate and bind to the inner wall of the bacterial envelope. The AFM will also be used to measure the binding of proteins on the surface of live bacteria with appropriate antibodies attached to the tip of the AFM, with the aim to produce maps of the distribution of proteins on the bacterial surface. Furthermore, high resolution imaging of the stress bearing layer in the bacterial wall will be performed in order to resolve the long standing questions concerning the detailed molecular architecture of this cell component. The layer gives the cell stability against the internal pressure but the layer must also allow molecular traffic through the cell wall. It is therefore important for an understanding of cell function and also for the development of antimicrobial agents to discover the correct architecture of this stress bearing layer. Digital in-line holographic microscopy (DIHM) with visible light has achieved sub micron resolution. Our research will extend DIHM measurements into the infrared which will open up potentially new application areas in soft matter research and medicine.