Quantitative nanoscale dielectric microscopy of single-layer supported biomembranes

Nano Lett. 2009 Apr;9(4):1604-8. doi: 10.1021/nl803851u.

Abstract

We present the experimental demonstration of low-frequency dielectric constant imaging of single-layer supported biomembranes at the nanoscale. The dielectric constant image has been quantitatively reconstructed by combining the thickness and local capacitance obtained using a scanning force microscope equipped with a sub-attofarad low-frequency capacitance detector. This work opens new possibilities for studying bioelectric phenomena and the dielectric properties of biological membranes at the nanoscale.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane*
  • Microscopy / methods*
  • Nanotechnology*