Single-step direct measurement of amyloid fibrils stiffness by peak force quantitative nanomechanical atomic force microscopy

We present an original application of a new atomic force microscopy mode called peak force tapping for the investigation of the mechanical properties of beta-lactoglobulin amyloid fibrils. The values of Young's modulus obtained by this technique are in perfect agreement with the indirect evaluation of fibrils stiffness obtained by combining polymer physics and topological statistical analysis on fibrils' structural conformations. This technique shows great promise in the estimation of the elastic properties of nanostructured objects relevant in biology, soft matter, and nanotechnology. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3589369]