Electrical molecular switch addressed by chemical stimuli.

We demonstrate that the conductance switching of benzo-bis(imidazole) molecules upon protonation depends on the lateral functional groups. The protonated H-substituted molecule shows a higher conductance than the neutral one (Gpro > Gneu), while the opposite (Gneu > Gpro) is observed for a molecule laterally functionalized by amino-phenyl groups. These results are demonstrated at various scale lengths: self-assembled monolayers, tiny nanodot-molecule junctions and single molecules.

RNA control of HIV-1 particle size polydispersity.

HIV-1, an enveloped RNA virus, produces viral particles that are known to be much more heterogeneous in size than is typical of non-enveloped viruses. We present here a novel strategy to study HIV-1 Viral Like Particles (VLP) assembly by measuring the size distribution of these purified VLPs and subsequent viral cores thanks to Atomic Force Microscopy imaging and statistical analysis. This strategy allowed us to identify whether the presence of viral RNA acts as a modulator for VLPs and cores size heterogeneity in a large population of particles.

Energy dissipation effects on imaging of soft materials by dynamic atomic force microscopy: a DNA-chip study.

Using amplitude-mode AFM (AM-AFM), we have obtained valuable information during these recent years through the study of amplitude and phase shift dependence on tip-sample separation, leading to a comprehensive understanding of the interaction processes. Two imaging regimes, attractive and repulsive, have been identified and a relationship between phase and dissipative energy was established, providing information on observed material properties. Most of the previous studies have concerned model systems: either hard or soft materials.

AFM investigation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin LecA (PA-IL) filaments induced by multivalent glycoclusters.

Atomic force microscopy reveals that Pseudomonas aeruginosa LecA (PA-IL) and a tetra-galactosylated 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene-based glycocluster self-assemble according to an aggregative chelate binding mode to create monodimensional filaments. Lectin oligomers are identified along the filaments and defects in chelate binding generate branches and bifurcations. A molecular model with alternate 90° orientation of LecA tetramers is proposed to describe the organisation of lectins and glycoclusters in the filaments.