Advanced high resolution atomic force microscopy of biomolecules in physiological environments

The proposed research is aimed at solving persisting problems of atomic force microscopy (AFM) bioimaging, such as fluctuating (often low) resolution and sensitivity, poor reproducibility and stability. These problems are the main obstacles in the way of measuring conformational changes and dynamical processes of biomolecules in situ and to integrate the AFM with other methods such as fluorescent and confocal microscopy. In the proposed research, the physical model of the AFM operation in physiological liquid environments will be developed. Computer simulation of the dynamics and sensitivity of the imaging process will be performed. Suitable protocols for dynamic bioimaging will be developed and tested on imaging amyloid fibril formation.