Measurement of nanomechanical properties of biomolecules using atomic force microscopy

The capabilities of atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been rapidly expanding beyond topographical imaging to now allow for the analysis of a wide range of properties of diverse materials. The technique of nanoindentation, traditionally performed via dedicated indenters can now be reliably achieved using AFM instrumentation, enabling mechanical property determination at the nanoscale using the high spatial and force resolutions of the AFM. In the study of biological systems, from biomolecules to complexes, this technique provides insight into how mesoscale properties and functions may arise from a myriad of single biomolecules. In vivo and in situ analyses of native structures under physiological conditions as well as the rapid analysis of molecular species under a variety of experimental treatments are made possible with this technique. As a result, AFM nanoindentation has emerged as a critical tool for the study of biological systems in their natural state, further contributing to both biomaterial design and pharmacological research. In this review, we detail the theory and progression of AFM-based nanoindentation, and present several applications of this technique as it has been used to probe biomolecules and biological nanostructures from single proteins to complex assemblies. We further detail the many challenges associated with mechanical models and required assumptions for model validity. AFM nanoindentation capabilities have provided an excellent improvement over conventional nanomechanical tools and by integration of topographical data from imaging, enabled the rapid extraction and presentation of mechanical data for biological samples.

► The AFM is a versatile tool used for topographical imaging and force spectroscopy.
► Measuring mechanical properties of biomolecular materials via AFM is a new dimension.
► Enables real-time, non-destructive measurements in physiological environments.
► Current research, challenges for mechanical study of biomolecules are summarized.