Protocol

Construction of a Single-Axis Molecular Puller for Measuring Polysaccharide and Protein Mechanics by Atomic Force Microscopy

Center for Biologically Inspired Materials and Material Systems, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA

¹Corresponding author (pemar{at}duke.edu)

INTRODUCTION

Polysaccharides and proteins are frequently subjected to mechanical forces in vivo. Because these forces affect a wide range of biological activities, it is important to develop methods that directly investigate the mechanical properties of these molecules. Recent progress in techniques that allow the mechanical manipulation of biopolymers at a single-molecule level has revealed the complex nature of the elasticity of proteins and polysaccharides. The atomic force microscope (AFM) is an excellent force spectrometer for probing the mechanical properties (e.g., length and tension) of individual polysaccharides and proteins. The following protocol describes the basic design and construction of an AFM (a single-axis molecular puller) that has four parts: a head, a base, electronics, and software. Those with a background in mechanical engineering, basic knowledge of electronics and data acquisition techniques, and some computer programming skills (e.g., with LabView, Matlab, or Igor) should be able to construct this instrument. It is advisable to inspect commercial AFMs before constructing one from scratch.