L. Limozin

Collaboration: F. Rico, C. Valotteau

Acoustic force spectroscopy (AFS or Acoustic force probe) is a recent development that uses ultrasound waves allowing high-throughput applications of single biomolecule mechanics. The idea is to use acoustic waves generated in a chamber to apply forces in parallel to hundreds of beads linked to individual molecules attached to the sample surface.

We are adapting AFS to study the interaction between receptor/ligand pairs of adhesion molecules and antibody/antigen complexes at ultraslow loading rates, down to 0.01 pN/s. We recently coupled it with the technology og junctional DNA to achieve the characterization of single antigen-antibody bond rupture under force.

Jian Wang, Y., Valotteau, C., Aimard, A., Villanueva, L., Kostrz, D., Follenfant, M., Strick, T., Chames, P., Rico, F., Gosse, C., Limozin, L., 2023. Combining DNA scaffolds and acoustic force spectroscopy to characterize individual protein bonds. Biophysical Journal vol. 122, June 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.05.004.