Biomimetics

Our Atomic Force Microscope is utilized to investigate transparent as well as opaque samples from the micro- down to the nanoscale in any translucent fluid or gaseous environment, e.g. in air, solvents and buffer solutions. The instrument is now also equipped with a newly developed closed fluid cell that allows for measurements in chemically aggressive environments, fluid and gases and a temperature control stage.

As versatile complement to light microscopy, the importance of atomic force microscopy in life sciences is continuously growing. The main applications in biology include

• High resolution topography
• Mechanic properties: Cell stiffness, Viscoelasticity, Nanotribology
• Recognition Force Microscopy: Measurements of single molecule bonds with pN resolution.

which are available at our instrument.

O. Hekele, C. Gösselsberger, I. Gebeshuber
Nanodiagnostics performed on human red blood cells with atomic force microscopy Materials Science and Technology, 24 (2008), 9; 1162 - 1165.

C. Grünberger, R. Ritter, F. Aumayr, H. Stachelberger, I. Gebeshuber
Algal Biophysics: Euglena Gracilis Investigated by Atomic Force Microscopy Materials Science Forum, 555 (2007), 411 - 416.

Review:
I. Gebeshuber, M. Drack, M. Scherge
Tribology in biology Tribology - Materials, Surfaces & Interfaces, 2(4) (2009), 200 - 212.