Atomic Force Microscopy-Based Force Spectroscopy …
599
6.3.2 Probing ssDNA–CNT Interaction
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are very popular one-dimensional nanomaterial having
diverse mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. Because of these attributes
CNTs are used for sensing and drug delivery in biomedical field. SMFS is very
helpful in investigating those interactions where CNTs has been used to encapsulate
ssDNA inside. For instance, the interaction of single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) with
ssDNA [51] was investigated by Iliafar et al. using SMFS.
7 AFM-FS for Determining the Material Properties
AFM-FS have been used previously to investigate the elastic and viscoelastic properties of materials besides studying their biomolecular interactions [52, 53]. Studying
these micromechanical characteristics of alive cells will improve our understanding
of cellular structure and functional details [54]. In addition, knowledge of mechanical protein elasticity is very important for understanding the function of proteins
in migrating and rolling of cells [55]. Polymer thin films have previously been used
for various uses, ranging from bioengineering to insulating integrated circuits in the
synthesis of cell substrates [56, 57]. Hence, measuring the mechanical properties of
polymers is very crucial for designing functional nanomaterials.
7.1 Determining Young’s Modulus of Cell Membrane
Elasticity is very important property of the living cells which could be used to describe
the pathological condition and metastatic potential of the cells. This is the reason due
to which elasticity of cells has been widely investigated using AFM-FS during past
decades [58–60]. For instance, the mechanical properties of several cancer cell lines
obtained from patients have been analyzed under ex vivo condition by Gimzewski
et al. utilizing AFM-FS [58].
7.2 Determining Young’s Modulus of Biopolymeric Materials
AFM-FS can also be used to evaluate the elastic property of biopolymers in terms of
Young’s modulus. For example, AFM-FS was previously employed for calculating
the elastic properties of thin gelatin films [61]. These findings indicated the dependence of Young’s modulus on the local film thickness and the applied loading force
of the AFM tip, as per Hertz model.
599
6.3.2 Probing ssDNA–CNT Interaction
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are very popular one-dimensional nanomaterial having
diverse mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. Because of these attributes
CNTs are used for sensing and drug delivery in biomedical field. SMFS is very
helpful in investigating those interactions where CNTs has been used to encapsulate
ssDNA inside. For instance, the interaction of single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) with
ssDNA [51] was investigated by Iliafar et al. using SMFS.
7 AFM-FS for Determining the Material Properties
AFM-FS have been used previously to investigate the elastic and viscoelastic properties of materials besides studying their biomolecular interactions [52, 53]. Studying
these micromechanical characteristics of alive cells will improve our understanding
of cellular structure and functional details [54]. In addition, knowledge of mechanical protein elasticity is very important for understanding the function of proteins
in migrating and rolling of cells [55]. Polymer thin films have previously been used
for various uses, ranging from bioengineering to insulating integrated circuits in the
synthesis of cell substrates [56, 57]. Hence, measuring the mechanical properties of
polymers is very crucial for designing functional nanomaterials.
7.1 Determining Young’s Modulus of Cell Membrane
Elasticity is very important property of the living cells which could be used to describe
the pathological condition and metastatic potential of the cells. This is the reason due
to which elasticity of cells has been widely investigated using AFM-FS during past
decades [58–60]. For instance, the mechanical properties of several cancer cell lines
obtained from patients have been analyzed under ex vivo condition by Gimzewski
et al. utilizing AFM-FS [58].
7.2 Determining Young’s Modulus of Biopolymeric Materials
AFM-FS can also be used to evaluate the elastic property of biopolymers in terms of
Young’s modulus. For example, AFM-FS was previously employed for calculating
the elastic properties of thin gelatin films [61]. These findings indicated the dependence of Young’s modulus on the local film thickness and the applied loading force
of the AFM tip, as per Hertz model.
