Versatile method for AFM-tip functionalization with biomolecules: fishing a ligand by means of an in situ click reaction

Abstract

A facile and universal method for the functionalization of an AFM tip has been developed for chemical force spectroscopy (CFS) studies of intermolecular interactions of biomolecules. A click reaction between tripod–acetylene and an azide–linker–ligand molecule was successfully carried out on the AFM tip surface and used for the CFS study of ligand–receptor interactions.