Advances in probing single biomolecules: From DNA bases to glycans

Abstract Imaging biomolecules in real space is crucial for gaining a comprehensive understanding of the properties and functions of biological systems at the most fundamental level. Among the various imaging techniques available for biomolecules and their assembled nanostructures, scanning probe mic...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Baofei Hou, Teng Zhang, Huixia Yang, Xu Han, Liwei Liu, Linfei Li, Cesare Grazioli, Xu Wu, Nan Jiang, Yeliang Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-07-01
Series:Interdisciplinary Materials
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/idm2.12106
Description
Summary:Abstract Imaging biomolecules in real space is crucial for gaining a comprehensive understanding of the properties and functions of biological systems at the most fundamental level. Among the various imaging techniques available for biomolecules and their assembled nanostructures, scanning probe microscopy (SPM) provides a powerful and nondestructive imaging option. SPM is unique in visualizing intrinsically disordered biomolecules at the nanometer scale (e.g., glycans). This review highlights recent achievements in studying biomolecules using SPM technique, focusing on DNA bases, amino acids, proteins, and glycans. The atomic‐level analysis of biomolecules made possible by SPM allows for a more accurate definition of the local structure–property relationship. High‐resolution SPM imaging of single biomolecules offers a new way to study basic processes of life at the molecular level.
ISSN:2767-441X