Jun. 01, 2008

Structural Support of Hair Cell Transduction

Transduction of sound is dependent upon the organisation of the cytoskeletal structures that form and support the stereociliary bundle of cochlear hair cells. Freeze-fracture followed by deep etching reveals the organisation of the hair cell cytoskeleton and indicates how mechanical support for stereocilia is provided. This can offer explanations of why mutations in certain genes that are widely expressed in the body have effects only upon the functioning of auditory hair cells to cause non-syndromic deafness.

Introduction
moreJun. 01, 2008

Fundamental Knowledge - Part 3

Fundamental Knowledge - Part 3: In part one (Fundamental Knowledge - Part 1 ) and two (Fundamental Knowledge - Part 2) of this chapter we looked at the physical principals of light and its interaction with optical surfaces. moreJun. 01, 2008

The Contribution of Electron Microscopy to Health Protection

The unique combined ability of transmission and scanning electron microscopes to visualise the fine structure and interaction of cells, bacteria, viruses and macromolecules has made these instruments essential tools in the fight against potentially life-threatening microbes. moreJun. 01, 2008

Lipid Rafts Mechanical Properties Revealed by AFM

Lipid Rafts Mechanical Properties Revealed by AFM: We present a method based on atomic force microscopy which permits to detect and measure the mechanical properties of lipid rafts in living neurons. This technique, based on the interpretation of force distance curves, confirmed that rafts have a diameter lower than 70 nm and that they are stiffer than their surrounding membrane. Lipid Rafts Play Primordial Role moreJun. 01, 2008

Damping in Dynamic Force Microscopy: The Role of Functionalized Groups

Damping in Dynamic Force Microscopy: The Role of Functionalized Groups. As a relatively new scanning probe technique, Dynamic Force Microscopy [1] has proved to be a powerful tool, allowing for imaging the topography of a sample surface with true atomic resolution. Besides topographic imaging, the simultaneously recorded damping signal is related to non-conservative interaction between tip and sample. For a molecular system, we show the tip-induced switching of the functionalized groups of the organic molecule leading to an enhanced damping signal. moreJun. 01, 2008

Nano-Thermal Analysis

In the last decennia there has been a substantial and growing interest in polymer ‘thin' films. These films (typically below 200 nm thickness) show remarkable properties, sometimes completely different from those in bulk. Understanding how the morphology of thin polymer (blend) films evolves with time or preparation methods is of great technological importance [1].

Nano-thermal Analysis

AFM turns out to be the suited technique for studying these films. It is possible to determine different images (e.g. topographic, friction and phase) in one scan. moreJun. 01, 2008

Electrospun Polymeric Fine Fibres

Electrospun Polymeric Fine Fibres: Electrospinning is recognised for being a versatile and prolific method for producing polymeric fibres with diameters ranging from micro- to nanometers. By choosing polymers with particular physical properties, employing complex multiple systems or compounding with non-polymeric particles, the fibre properties can be tailored to ideally suit a particular application.
moreJun. 01, 2008

FIB/SEM for Biological Data Mining

PART I more