Single molecule force spectroscopy in biology using the atomic force microscope

The importance of forces in biology has been recognized for quite a while b ut only in the past decade have we acquired instrumentation and methodology to directly measure interactive forces at the level of single biological m acromolecules and/or their complexes. This review focuses on force measurem ents performed with the atomic force microscope. A general introduction to the principle of action is followed by review of the types of interactions being studied, describing the main results and discussing the biological im plications. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.