Mica Surface Binding
Mica Surface Binding - Related Videos
12:03
Preparation of Mica and Silicon Substrates for DNA Origami Analysis and Experimentation
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Cited by 9 •
2015
Reproducible cleaning processes for substrates used in DNA origami research are described, including bench-top RCA cleaning and derivatization of silicon oxide. Protocols for surface preparation, DNA origami deposition, drying parameters, and simple experimental set-ups are illustrated.
03:05
Detection of Vitronectin Binding to Bacterial Surfaces using Flow Cytometry
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2025
This video demonstrates the detection of vitronectin's interaction with bacterial surface proteins. The flow-cytometry analysis measures the fluorescence signal of fluorescently labeled antibodies bound to vitronectin, confirming its presence at the bacterial surface. This technique provides insights into host-pathogen interactions and potential bacterial infection therapies.
02:18
The Equilibrium Binding Constant and Binding Strength
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2020
The equilibrium binding constant (Kb) quantifies the strength of a protein-ligand interaction. Kb can be calculated as follows when the reaction is at equilibrium: where P and L are the unbound protein and ligand, respectively, and PL is the protein-ligand complex. As the amount of bound ligand is also related to the rate of ligand binding, experiments can also determine Kb by examining the rates of protein-ligand association (kon) and dissociation (koff) using the following ratio: Thus,...
08:51
Visualization of Surface-tethered Large DNA Molecules with a Fluorescent Protein DNA Binding Peptide
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Cited by 7 •
2016
We present an approach for visualizing fluorescent protein DNA binding peptide (FP-DBP)-stained large DNA molecules tethered on the polyethylene glycol (PEG) and avidin-coated glass surface and stretched with microfluidic shear flows.
10:23
Covalent Binding of BMP-2 on Surfaces Using a Self-assembled Monolayer Approach
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Cited by 8 •
2013
We describe a method for accomplishing efficient immobilization of BMP-2 on surfaces. Our approach is based on the formation of a self-assembled monolayer to achieve the covalent binding of BMP-2 via its free amine residues. This method is a useful tool to study signaling at the cell membrane.
FAQs
Freshly cleaved mica presents a negatively charged plane, so positively charged regions of biological molecules or engineered materials can be attracted to it. Divalent cations can strengthen this interaction by helping bridge negatively charged surfaces and targets. Adjusting these electrostatic conditions influences whether molecules remain attached firmly enough for stable nanoscale observation.
Chemical functionalization modifies the mica interface by introducing binding groups that can interact more selectively with a target. This approach complements the substrate’s native electrostatic attraction and can help control which biological molecules, membranes, or engineered materials remain immobilized. Such control is useful when surface attachment must support consistent structural or interaction measurements.
The exceptionally flat mica plane reduces surface topography that could otherwise obscure features of an attached sample. As a result, atomic force microscopy can examine the shape, organization, and assembly of immobilized materials against a relatively uniform background. This surface quality supports clearer evaluation of molecular structures and membrane or material behavior at the nanoscale.
Attachment depends on the exposed mica surface, the target’s interaction with its negative charge, and the presence of divalent cations or added binding groups. Fresh cleavage is important because it exposes the usable plane. Selecting among these surface and chemical conditions allows researchers to adjust immobilization and preserve structural features during analysis.
A typical workflow begins by freshly cleaving the mica to expose a clean, atomically smooth plane. The biological molecule, membrane, or engineered material is then brought into contact with the surface under selected electrostatic or functionalized-binding conditions. After attachment, the immobilized sample can be examined with atomic force microscopy or another surface-based analysis.
This approach is useful when researchers need to study DNA, proteins, lipid membranes, or biomolecular assemblies while they remain positioned on a flat substrate. Immobilization can improve imaging stability and help reveal molecular organization, interactions, and assembly behavior. The same platform also supports evaluation of engineered materials and their nanoscale surface behavior.
Mica-supported measurements can reveal structural features and spatial organization that are difficult to assess when samples move during observation. For DNA, proteins, membranes, and assemblies, the resulting images can support analysis of morphology, interactions, and arrangement on the surface. These observations also help evaluate how engineered materials behave at the nanoscale.