STM STUDIES OF LB FILMS OF AMPHIPHILIC PO LYELECTROLYTES WITH ANTIBODIES OR ENZYMES

The structure of LB films of protein-polyelectrolyte complexes was stu died by STM. The images of the films obtained at various protein conce ntrations in the water subphase and different values of surface pressu re and the transferred on to pyrolytic graphite surface were captured. The topography of the surface covered by one or three layers of the f ilms studied was investigated. It is shown that at a protein concentra tion of 1 mg/ml in the water subphase, the films are composed of aggre gated protein molecules, and their structures has an island character. An increase in the number of transferred layers up to three results i n practically complete covering of the surface. A decrease in the of p rotein concentration in the water subphase to 1 mu g/ml allowed to obt ain films consisting of individual non aggregated protein molecules.