The ForceRobot 300, a single molecule force spectroscopy system from JPK Instruments, features automated setup and continuous adjustments which provide improvements in the efficiency of data collection. The integration of optical techniques allows targeted measurements where the molecules of interest are located. These factors, combined with the highest data quality and stability, open the field of single molecule force spectroscopy to a new level of results.
Force spectroscopy is a single molecule technique that allows the real-time study of molecular interactions on the nanoscale. Originating from the broad field of atomic force microscopy (AFM), force spectroscopy directly addresses the measurement of forces between and within molecules. The sensitivity is high enough to characterize molecular interactions such as the unfolding forces of single proteins or forces of a single molecular bond. The key to obtaining meaningful results from single molecule techniques such as force spectroscopy is the statistical management of the results.
Until now, single molecule force spectroscopy required frequent manual calibrations and alignments and constant operator presence. Useful data output was both low and slow with only a few suitable curves obtained over many hours. The ForceRobot 300 addresses these issues as a dedicated tool for the force spectroscopist.
The system features intelligent software for experimental design, data acquisition, and evaluation. Tens of thousands of force curves may be generated and evaluated in hours. The accuracy and stability of the instrument is ensured by integrated capacitive position sensors with drift being minimized thorough a symmetrical system design.
The system may be operated in a stand-alone mode to give maximum access and flexibility to the sample or mounted on top of an inverted optical microscope to enable simultaneous force spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. Both versions are available with a choice of positioning stage.
JPK Instruments
