Application of atomic force microscopy to the study of micromechanical properties of biological materials

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to study the micromechanical pr operties of biological systems. Its unique ability to function both as an i maging device and force sensor with nanometer resolution in both gaseous an d liquid environments has meant that AFM has provided unique insights into the mechanical behaviour of tissues, cells and single molecules. As a surfa ce scanning device, AFM can map properties such as adhesion and the Young's modulus of surfaces. As a force sensor and nanoindentor AFM can directly m easure properties such as the Young's modulus of surfaces or the binding fo rces of cells. As a stress-strain gauge AFM can study the stretching of sin gle molecules or fibres and as a nanomanipulator it can dissect biological particles such as viruses or DNA strands. The present paper reviews key res earch that has demonstrated the versatility of AFM and how it can be exploi ted to study the micromechanical behaviour of biological materials.