Electrical characterization of biological elements by atomic force microscopy

Abstract

[eng]The assessment of the electrical properties of biomolecules at the nanoscale becomes necessary for gathering previous basic knowledge and for the control of the biosensor fabrication. I developed instrumentation, protocols, and theoretical frameworks for the nanoscale electrical characterization of biomolecules by AFM. Two novel types of AFM electrical characterizations were developed: electron transport through the biomolecules and dielectric polarization of the biomolecules (each one requires different instrumentation, protocols and theory). I succeeded in obtaining important electrical information on individual biomolecules with implications in electrical biosensor fabrication. KEY WORDS: AFM, Protein, Electrical, Biosensor