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Creating nanoscopic collagen matrices using atomic force microscopy
Author(s) -
Jiang Fengzhi,
Khairy Khaled,
Poole Kate,
Howard Jonathon,
Müller Daniel J.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.20101
Subject(s) - nanoscopic scale , atomic force microscopy , nanotechnology , template , nanometre , materials science , biological materials , chemistry , biological system , biology , composite material
The atomic force microscope (AFM) is introduced as a biomolecular manipulation machine capable of assembling biological molecules into well‐defined molecular structures. Native collagen molecules were mechanically directed into well‐defined, two‐dimensional templates exhibiting patterns with feature sizes ranging from a few nanometers to several hundreds of micrometers. The resulting nanostructured collagen matrices were only ∼3‐nm thick, exhibited an extreme mechanical stability, and maintained their properties over the time range of several months. Our results directly demonstrate the plasticity of biological assemblies and provide insight into the physical mechanisms by which biological structures may be organized by cells in vivo. These nanoscopic templates may serve as platforms on non‐biological surfaces to direct molecular and cellular processes. Microsc. Res. Tech. 64:435–440, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.