Synopsis
Proximal Probe Techniques (PPT) started almost two decades ago, with the introduction of Scanning Tunneling
Microscopy (STM), followed few years later by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Within this period they evolved from a tool
of solid state physicists
to a diverse group of tools showing especially great potential in the field of nanoscience of soft condensed
matter. This potential is based on the
current ability of PPTs
to image organic (macro)molecules and their assemblies under a variety of conditions, especially in aqueous
environments.
This introductory lecture focuses on the evolution of (macro)molecular
imaging with proximal
probes, from early STM observations of simple organic adsorbates to current in situ AFM studies of processes involving
biological macromolecules and their assemblies. Recent applications
of AFM to the studies of synthetic and biological macromolecules are illustrated in more
detail in four Examples coming from our laboratory.
Link to course syllabus