Atomic Force Microscopy as a Tool Applied to Nano/Biosensors

Author(s)

Steffens, Clarice ^{[1, 2]} ; Leite, Fabio L. ^[3] ; Bueno, Carolina C. ^[3] ; Manzoli, Alexandra ^[2] ; De Paula Herrmann, Paulo Sergio ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Fed Univ Sao Carlos UFSCar, Dept Biotechnol, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Embrapa Instrumentat, Natl Nanotechnol Lab Agribusiness LNNA, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Fed Univ Sao Carlos UFSCar, Dept Phys Math & Chem DFMQ, BR-18052780 Sorocaba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: SENSORS; v. 12, n. 6, p. 8278-8300, JUN 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 33

Abstract

This review article discusses and documents the basic concepts and principles of nano/biosensors. More specifically, we comment on the use of Chemical Force Microscopy (CFM) to study various aspects of architectural and chemical design details of specific molecules and polymers and its influence on the control of chemical interactions between the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) tip and the sample. This technique is based on the fabrication of nanomechanical cantilever sensors (NCS) and microcantilever-based biosensors (MC-B), which can provide, depending on the application, rapid, sensitive, simple and low-cost in situ detection. Besides, it can provide high repeatability and reproducibility. Here, we review the applications of CFM through some application examples which should function as methodological questions to understand and transform this tool into a reliable source of data. This section is followed by a description of the theoretical principle and usage of the functionalized NCS and MC-B technique in several fields, such as agriculture, biotechnology and immunoassay. Finally, we hope this review will help the reader to appreciate how important the tools CFM, NCS and MC-B are for characterization and understanding of systems on the atomic scale. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/08244-0 - Development of functionalized microcantilever with conductive polymers for detection of chemical vapors
• Grantee: Clarice Steffens
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 10/04188-6 - Toxicological study of nano-particles of magnetic graphite using the model of bovine udders
• Grantee: Rafaella Takehara Paschoalin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 07/05089-9 - Development of nanobiosensors using atomic force spectroscopy: application for detecting pesticides
• Grantee: Fabio de Lima Leite
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 08/57862-6 - NAMITEC
• Grantee: Jacobus Willibrordus Swart
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants