The atomic force microscope (AFM) evolved as a standard device in modern microbiological research. However, its capability as a sophisticated force sensor is not used to its full capacity. The AFM turns into a unique tool for quantitative adhesion research in bacteriology by using "bacterial probes". Thereby, bacterial probes are AFM cantilevers that provide a single bacterium or a cluster of bacteria as the contact-forming object. We present a step-by-step protocol for preparing bacterial probes, performing force spectroscopy experiments and processing force spectroscopy data. Additionally, we provide a general insight into the field of bacterial cell force spectroscopy.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2015-15140-2DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

force spectroscopy
16
bacterial probes
12
atomic force
8
force
6
detailed guideline
4
guideline fabrication
4
fabrication single
4
bacterial
4
single bacterial
4
probes atomic
4

Similar Publications

Manipulated Slow Release of Florfenicol Hydrogels for Effective Treatment of Anti-Intestinal Bacterial Infections.

Int J Nanomedicine

January 2025

Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh, 13736, Egypt.

Objective: The difficulty of establishing slow release at intestinal infection sites, weak antibacterial effects, as well as the limited broad use of florfenicol oral formulations are the main targets of the current study. Novel hydrogels derived from sodium alginate were developed using a complexation form for florfenicol delivery to achieve slow release at the site of intestinal infection and enhance its antibacterial activity against .

Methods: The optimal formulation, physicochemical properties, stability, pH-responsive performance, antibacterial activity, and in vitro biosafety of the florfenicol hydrogels have been studied systematically.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Probing living cell dynamics and molecular interactions using atomic force microscopy.

Biophys Rev

December 2024

Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du sud 4-5, L7.07.07, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as a powerful tool for studying biological interactions at the single-molecule level, offering unparalleled insights into receptor-ligand dynamics on living cells. This review discusses key developments in the application of AFM, highlighting its ability to capture nanomechanical properties of cellular surfaces and probe dynamic interactions, such as virus-host binding. AFM's versatility in measuring mechanical forces and mapping molecular interactions in near-physiological conditions is explored.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

α-Synuclein (αSyn), an intrinsically disordered protein implicated in Parkinson's disease, is potentially thought to initiate aggregation through binding to cellular membranes. Previous studies have suggested that anionic membrane charge is necessary for this binding. However, these studies largely focus on unmodified αSyn, while nearly all αSyn in the body is N-terminally acetylated (NTA).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Unlabelled: Vitamin B (cobalamin) is a high-value yet scarce cofactor required for various metabolic processes, making its efficient handling important for maintaining metabolic homeostasis. While the involvement of ATP:cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferases (MMAB) in the synthesis, delivery, and repair of 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl) is well established, the kinetic mechanisms that regulate this process, particularly its negative cooperativity, remain poorly understood. Understanding these mechanisms is key to clarifying how MMAB efficiently uses AdoCbl, prevents resource wastage, and supports bacterial survival in nutrient-limited environments.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Here, we report the design, synthesis, and comprehensive characterization of the bis-cholesterol supramolecular gelator, which contains photochromic stiff-stilbene as a bridging unit. The -isomer of stiff-stilbene bridged bis-cholesterol (-) was first synthesized with a systematic design, which can be further converted into its -isomer (-) with a high degree of efficiency (ca. 100%) upon exposure to 385 nm UV light.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!