Speaker
Description
Single-molecule and single-cell force measurements provide essential quantitative insights into the thermodynamics and mechanics of complex biological systems. We utilize atomic force microscopy (AFM) to analyze materials across a range of length scales, from individual biopolymers to live cells. At the molecular level, we explore the force response, equilibrium states, and dynamic properties of multimeric proteins and DNA, while also conducting a comparative analysis of graphene nanoribbons as model biopolymers. These foundational studies are connected to the cellular scale through single-cell force spectroscopy, where we analyze the mechanical signatures of cancer cells to gain a deeper understanding of the physical underpinnings of disease. By obtaining the mechanical signature across various biological systems, our discussion highlights the versatility of force spectroscopy as a powerful tool for addressing biomedically relevant issues in both protein mechanics and cancer physics.
