Atomic Force Microscopy and Single Molecule Force Measurements
Our lab uses a MFP (Molecular Force Probe from Asylum Research) to measure the forces to rupture single noncovalent protein bonds.
The proteins are covalently tethered on the surface and an AFM tip. The surface density of immobilized protein and the surface impingement force are kept sufficiently low, in order to detect the rupture of single molecular bonds between the cantilever and the surface. This sensitive instrument is capable of measuring 10pN forces between biomolecules.
With this approach, we determined the number and strengths of bonds formed between neural cell adhesion molecules and between cadherins. We also determined the force to extract lipids from lipid bilayers.