Investigation of Soft Matter Nanomechanics by Atomic Force Microscopy and Optical Tweezers: A Comprehensive Review
Soft matter exhibits a multitude of intrinsic physico-chemical attributes. Their mechanical properties are crucial characteristics to define their performance. In this context, the rigidity of these systems under exerted load forces is covered by the field of biomechanics. Moreover, cellular transdu...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-03-01
|
| Series: | Nanomaterials |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/13/6/963 |
| _version_ | 1827748320847593472 |
|---|---|
| author | Alessandro Magazzù Carlos Marcuello |
| author_facet | Alessandro Magazzù Carlos Marcuello |
| author_sort | Alessandro Magazzù |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Soft matter exhibits a multitude of intrinsic physico-chemical attributes. Their mechanical properties are crucial characteristics to define their performance. In this context, the rigidity of these systems under exerted load forces is covered by the field of biomechanics. Moreover, cellular transduction processes which are involved in health and disease conditions are significantly affected by exogenous biomechanical actions. In this framework, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical tweezers (OT) can play an important role to determine the biomechanical parameters of the investigated systems at the single-molecule level. This review aims to fully comprehend the interplay between mechanical forces and soft matter systems. In particular, we outline the capabilities of AFM and OT compared to other classical bulk techniques to determine nanomechanical parameters such as Young’s modulus. We also provide some recent examples of nanomechanical measurements performed using AFM and OT in hydrogels, biopolymers and cellular systems, among others. We expect the present manuscript will aid potential readers and stakeholders to fully understand the potential applications of AFM and OT to soft matter systems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:06:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c2252c45ea46428abdb21e048744883a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:06:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj.art-c2252c45ea46428abdb21e048744883a2023-11-17T12:59:35ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912023-03-0113696310.3390/nano13060963Investigation of Soft Matter Nanomechanics by Atomic Force Microscopy and Optical Tweezers: A Comprehensive ReviewAlessandro Magazzù0Carlos Marcuello1CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, 98158 Mesina, ItalyInstituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, SpainSoft matter exhibits a multitude of intrinsic physico-chemical attributes. Their mechanical properties are crucial characteristics to define their performance. In this context, the rigidity of these systems under exerted load forces is covered by the field of biomechanics. Moreover, cellular transduction processes which are involved in health and disease conditions are significantly affected by exogenous biomechanical actions. In this framework, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical tweezers (OT) can play an important role to determine the biomechanical parameters of the investigated systems at the single-molecule level. This review aims to fully comprehend the interplay between mechanical forces and soft matter systems. In particular, we outline the capabilities of AFM and OT compared to other classical bulk techniques to determine nanomechanical parameters such as Young’s modulus. We also provide some recent examples of nanomechanical measurements performed using AFM and OT in hydrogels, biopolymers and cellular systems, among others. We expect the present manuscript will aid potential readers and stakeholders to fully understand the potential applications of AFM and OT to soft matter systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/13/6/963atomic force microscopybiopolymerscellular membrane rigiditynanoindentationnanomechanicsoptical tweezers |
| spellingShingle | Alessandro Magazzù Carlos Marcuello Investigation of Soft Matter Nanomechanics by Atomic Force Microscopy and Optical Tweezers: A Comprehensive Review Nanomaterials atomic force microscopy biopolymers cellular membrane rigidity nanoindentation nanomechanics optical tweezers |
| title | Investigation of Soft Matter Nanomechanics by Atomic Force Microscopy and Optical Tweezers: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full | Investigation of Soft Matter Nanomechanics by Atomic Force Microscopy and Optical Tweezers: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_fullStr | Investigation of Soft Matter Nanomechanics by Atomic Force Microscopy and Optical Tweezers: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigation of Soft Matter Nanomechanics by Atomic Force Microscopy and Optical Tweezers: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_short | Investigation of Soft Matter Nanomechanics by Atomic Force Microscopy and Optical Tweezers: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_sort | investigation of soft matter nanomechanics by atomic force microscopy and optical tweezers a comprehensive review |
| topic | atomic force microscopy biopolymers cellular membrane rigidity nanoindentation nanomechanics optical tweezers |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/13/6/963 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alessandromagazzu investigationofsoftmatternanomechanicsbyatomicforcemicroscopyandopticaltweezersacomprehensivereview AT carlosmarcuello investigationofsoftmatternanomechanicsbyatomicforcemicroscopyandopticaltweezersacomprehensivereview |