High-speed atomic force microscopy techniques for observing dynamic biomolecular processes

Abstract

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) enables direct visualization of single-protein molecules in liquids at submolecular resolution. High-speed AFM further makes it possible to visualize dynamic biomolecular processes at subsecond resolution. However, dynamic imaging of biomolecular processes imposes various requirements on "wet techniques" and imaging conditions, which are often different from those for static imaging. This chapter first surveys the imposed requirements, then focuses on practical techniques associated with dynamic imaging, highlighting the preparation of substrate surfaces, and presents examples of the use of these techniques.