OBSERVATION AND MANIPULATION OF BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURES WITH AFM
原子力显微镜对纳米生物结构的观察和操纵

Many biologists had a dream of physically touching and manipulating the biomoleculars they are investigating. With the invention of the atomic force microscope (AFM), this dream is coming true. AFM observation of the nanostructure of the biological samples has deepened the general understanding of biomolecules. Examples of AFM application in nanomanipulation include the extraction of chromosomal DNA for genetic analysis, the dissection of biological membranes, and the controlled modulation of protein conformation etc. Future application of these nanotechniques will reveal new information on the structure, function and assembly of biomolecules. Here, recent applications of AFM to imagining and manipulating biological systems are reviewed.