Investigation of soft matter nanomechanics by atomic force microscopy and optical tweezers: a comprehensive review

Magazzù, Alessandro ; Marcuello, Carlos

Resumen: Soft matter exhibits a multitude of intrinsic physico-chemical attributes. Their mechanical properties are crucial characteristics to define their performance. In this context, the rigidity of these systems under exerted load forces is covered by the field of biomechanics. Moreover, cellular transduction processes which are involved in health and disease conditions are significantly affected by exogenous biomechanical actions. In this framework, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical tweezers (OT) can play an important role to determine the biomechanical parameters of the investigated systems at the single-molecule level. This review aims to fully comprehend the interplay between mechanical forces and soft matter systems. In particular, we outline the capabilities of AFM and OT compared to other classical bulk techniques to determine nanomechanical parameters such as Young’s modulus. We also provide some recent examples of nanomechanical measurements performed using AFM and OT in hydrogels, biopolymers and cellular systems, among others. We expect the present manuscript will aid potential readers and stakeholders to fully understand the potential applications of AFM and OT to soft matter systems.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3390/nano13060963

Año: 2023

Publicado en: Nanomaterials 13, 6 (2023), 963 [31 pp.]
ISSN: 2079-4991

Factor impacto JCR: 4.4 (2023)

Categ. JCR: MATERIALS SCIENCE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY rank: 146 / 439 = 0.333 (2023) - Q2 - T2
Categ. JCR: NANOSCIENCE & NANOTECHNOLOGY rank: 62 / 141 = 0.44 (2023) - Q2 - T2
Categ. JCR: CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY rank: 70 / 231 = 0.303 (2023) - Q2 - T1
Categ. JCR: PHYSICS, APPLIED rank: 47 / 179 = 0.263 (2023) - Q2 - T1

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 8.5 - Chemical Engineering (all) (Q1) - Materials Science (all) (Q1)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.798 - Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous) (Q1) - Materials Science (miscellaneous) (Q2)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/CSIC/QTP-2103003

Tipo y forma: Revisión (Versión definitiva)