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Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy: Experiments, Analysis, and Simulations

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Atomic Force Microscopy

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1886))

Abstract

The mechanical properties of cells and of subcellular components are important to obtain a mechanistic molecular understanding of biological processes. The quantification of mechanical resistance of cells and biomolecules using biophysical methods matured thanks to the development of nanotechnologies such as optical and magnetic tweezers, the biomembrane force probe, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The quantitative nature of force spectroscopy measurements has converted AFM into a valuable tool in biophysics. Force spectroscopy allows the determination of the forces required to unfold protein domains and to disrupt individual receptor/ligand bonds. Molecular simulations as a computational microscope allow investigation of similar biological processes with an atomistic detail. In this chapter, we first provide a step-by-step protocol of force spectroscopy experiments using AFM, including sample preparation, measurements, and analysis and interpretation of the resulting dynamic force spectrum in terms of available theories. Next, we present the background for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations focusing on steered molecular dynamics (SMD) and the importance of bridging computational tools with experimental techniques.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LAI, Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM UMR_S 1067, CNRS UMR 7333, 163 Avenue de Luminy, Marseille, 13009, France

    Fidan Sumbul & Felix Rico

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  1. Fidan Sumbul
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  2. Felix Rico
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Correspondence to Felix Rico .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

    Nuno C. Santos

  2. Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

    Filomena A. Carvalho

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Sumbul, F., Rico, F. (2019). Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy: Experiments, Analysis, and Simulations. In: Santos, N., Carvalho, F. (eds) Atomic Force Microscopy. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1886. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8894-5_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8894-5_9

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