SCANNING PROBE MICROSCOPES - APPLICATIONS IN CEREAL SCIENCE

Scanning probe microscopes (SPMs) are a family of related instruments which can produce high-resolution images of structures at the molecula r and atomic levels. Their main impact so far has been in surface scie nce, but they also have tremendous potential for the study of biomolec ules. In this article we will briefly introduce the properties and pri nciples of these instruments, and then discuss a range of preliminary studies from our laboratories in relation to future applications in ce real science.