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Automated detection of protein unfolding events in atomic force microscopy force curves
Author(s) -
GarcíaMassó Xavier,
Huber Matthias C.,
Friedmann Jacqueline.,
Gonzalez Luis M.,
Schiller Stefan M.,
TocaHerrera José L.
Publication year - 2016
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.22764
Subject(s) - elastin , atomic force microscopy , self healing hydrogels , polymer , elasticity (physics) , microscopy , force spectroscopy , materials science , biological system , biomedical engineering , nanotechnology , computer science , composite material , physics , optics , engineering , biology , polymer chemistry , genetics
Atomic force microscopy is not only a high‐resolution imaging device but also a mechanical machine, which can be used either to indent or stretch (soft) biomaterials. Due to the statistical nature of such materials (i.e., hydrogels or polymers) hundreds of force‐distance curves are required to describe their mechanical properties. In this manuscript, we present an automated system for polymer unfolding detection based on continuous wavelet analysis. We have tested the automated program on elastin, which is an important protein that provides elasticity to tissues and organs. Our results show that elastin changes its mechanical behavior in the presence of electrolytes. In particular, we show that NaCl has a different effect on the contour length than CaCl 2 for similar unfolding forces. In addition, we provide the program in the supporting information for the researches facing such kind of problem.