600
J. Jaisawal et al.
7.3 Determining Mechanical Elasticity of Viruses
Fundamental properties of viruses like its stability, assembly, and genome uncoating
depends upon the molecular association between the viral coat protein (Capsid)
and its genome plays [62, 63]. The mechanical stability of virus can be greatly
affected by the binding of some proteins. AFM-FS has also been utilized previously
for determining the changes in mechanical properties of viruses after binding with
proteins [64, 65].
8 Application of AFM-SMFS in Biosensing
There are three important components of biosensors: a sensing device that uses
different physical and/or optical standards, a signal transducer and a sensor substrate
on which one of the interacting partners is stored or immobilized. For the sensing of
various molecules such as DNA, RNA, enzymes, protein, drug molecules, antibodyantigen and metal ions, AFM-based SMFS may be employed.
8.1 Application in DNA Sensing
AFM-SMFS can be used to determine the DNA match and mismatch since the
associated rupture forces will change in the obtained curves, which could be exploited
for sensing DNA. This forms the basis towards development of a programmable force
sensor based on AFM technique which was reported for the first time in 2003, by
Gaub group [66].
8.2 Application in RNA Sensing
RNA is well known for its crucial roles in coding-decoding, regulation and expression
of genes. Therefore, it is very essential to utilize appropriate and precise approaches
for the detection of RNA. Direct hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA detection without
labelling or enhancement is reported using AFM-SMFS by Jung et al. [67].
8.3 Application in Sensing of Antibody–Antigen Interaction
The first crucial step which forms the basis for different biosensing platforms is
antibody-antigen binding. In order to investigate the molecular association between
J. Jaisawal et al.
7.3 Determining Mechanical Elasticity of Viruses
Fundamental properties of viruses like its stability, assembly, and genome uncoating
depends upon the molecular association between the viral coat protein (Capsid)
and its genome plays [62, 63]. The mechanical stability of virus can be greatly
affected by the binding of some proteins. AFM-FS has also been utilized previously
for determining the changes in mechanical properties of viruses after binding with
proteins [64, 65].
8 Application of AFM-SMFS in Biosensing
There are three important components of biosensors: a sensing device that uses
different physical and/or optical standards, a signal transducer and a sensor substrate
on which one of the interacting partners is stored or immobilized. For the sensing of
various molecules such as DNA, RNA, enzymes, protein, drug molecules, antibodyantigen and metal ions, AFM-based SMFS may be employed.
8.1 Application in DNA Sensing
AFM-SMFS can be used to determine the DNA match and mismatch since the
associated rupture forces will change in the obtained curves, which could be exploited
for sensing DNA. This forms the basis towards development of a programmable force
sensor based on AFM technique which was reported for the first time in 2003, by
Gaub group [66].
8.2 Application in RNA Sensing
RNA is well known for its crucial roles in coding-decoding, regulation and expression
of genes. Therefore, it is very essential to utilize appropriate and precise approaches
for the detection of RNA. Direct hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA detection without
labelling or enhancement is reported using AFM-SMFS by Jung et al. [67].
8.3 Application in Sensing of Antibody–Antigen Interaction
The first crucial step which forms the basis for different biosensing platforms is
antibody-antigen binding. In order to investigate the molecular association between