Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) provides opportunities to directly observe the structures and the dynamics of biological macromolecules in aqueous environment. One of the key techniques to acquire AFM images with high reliability is to adsorb molecules to a solid support with controlled affinity in proper orientation. For this purpose, supported lipid bilayers have been applied as substrates. The ability of the lipid bilayer to control the interaction between the macromolecules and the surface makes it possible to control the orientation and the dynamics of the molecules thereon. Here, the AFM imaging of 2D protein crystals, adsorbing proteins with controlled affinity and orientation, the use of streptavidin crystal as a substrate are described.
