The World of Nano-Biomechanics: Mechanical Imaging and Measurement by Atomic Force Microscopy

Atsushi Ikai9780444527776, 044452777X

Mechanics in biology at the nanometer scaled world is an exciting recent development where biology meets physics and engineering.Surrounded by the thermal agitation of solvent molecules, proteins, DNAs, polysaccharides, lipid membranes, and the functional structures based on their interactions must keep their integrity as information processing machineries for their biological functions. The requirement for their mechanical rigidity and flexibility for this purpose is now being studied at the single molecular level using the state-of-the-art technologies of recent development.This book introduces elementary mechanics necessary to understand the biology at the nano-world. Breathtaking experiments such as single molecule stretching of DNA, RNA and proteins are now revealing the internal mechanics of their molecular structure. Just looking into the response of protein molecules against the tensile stretching exposing their interior under the physiological conditions is phenomenal.Written by an author with biochemical and biophysical background, this book is an ideal guidance to bio-nanomechanics for those who are not familiar with mechanical concepts.