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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R07301/01
Title: The Development of a Magnetically Controlled Force Microscope, For High Resolution Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy
Principal Investigator: Allen, Professor S
Other Investigators:
Williams, Dr P Williams, Professor PM Tendler, Professor S
Davies, Professor M Roberts, Professor C
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Organisation: University of Nottingham
Scheme: Fast Stream
Starts: 01 February 2001 Ends: 31 January 2004 Value (£): 60,330
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Cells Surfaces & Interfaces
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Recent developments in optical and scanning probe microscope (SPM) techniques have significant advances in the characterization and manipulation of single molecules. However, despite such studies several limitations still hamper progress in this research field, many of which have been recently overcome through improvements in instrumentation and cantilever technologies. This proposal seeks to address the remaining limitations through the development of the current state-of -the- art atomic force microscope (AFM) instrumentation. Specifically, a newly available form of AFM, termed the molecular force-probe (MFP)(Asylum Research, CA) will be modified to enable the direct control of cantilever deflection (and hence applied force) through the application of a magnetic force. The addition benefits of the developed instrument for single biomolecule force spectroscopy studies will be investigated through a series of experiments on well characterized model biomolecular systems. In particular, these studies will aim to address key advances required in the field of biomolecular force spectroscopy.The proposed studies will build on the applicant's expertise in biomolecular force measurement field and instrumental development, and are intended to pump-prime the principal applicant's research in these areas. In addition, the outcome of this research should develop instrumentation which will impact not only on the AFM and force measurement communities, but also on the scientific fields and technologies reliant upon an fundamental understanding of biomolecular interactions.
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Organisation Website: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk