About SPM at IFR

Scanning probe microscopy methods are used at IFR to study complex biological systems that are of importance in food and agriculture. Probe microscopes are used, in conjunction with a variety of other biophysical techniques, in order to explain the behaviour of biological structures at the molecular level. The probe microscopy team is part of the Imaging partnership at IFR.

The tip of an atomic force microscope

The group has been using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) since 1986, atomic force microscopy (AFM) since 1993, and near field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM or SNOM) since 1999. The instruments used at IFR are STM: WA Technology, AFMs: East Coast Scientific and Asylum Research and NSOM: Thermomicroscopes. Research into SPM methods is carried out by Andrew Kirby, Patrick Gunning, Nicola Woodward, Axel Gromer, Julia Maldonado-Valderrama and is led by Professor Vic Morris.

The systems of interest span the range from individual molecules to whole cells. Studies on individual molecules, molecular interaction and assembly include work on proteins, phospholipids, polysaccharides and starch. Routine methods have been developed for the AFM imaging of proteins and polysaccharides, molecular association responsible for thixotropy and gelation and for studying molecular structure in plant cell walls, plant tissue and complex assemblies such as starch granules. Methods have been developed for studying complex interactions at interfaces responsible for the stability of foams and emulsions. Within the group there is an interest in the study of bacterial attachment to surfaces, bacterial biofilms, the probing of the nano-assembly of biopolymer structures at surfaces and interfaces and colloidal interaction between deformable oil droplets in aqueous media.

For further details see our list of publications, or you are most welcome to contact a member of the group.