The applications of nanotechnology for use by life scientists continue to expand at a fantastic rate. Historically, techniques based on probe technologies, particularly scanning probe microscopy or SPM, were developed and used by physicists. In the last five, perhaps ten years, there has been a huge shift as companies such as JPK Instruments have developed nanoinstrumentation designed to specifically address the experimental problems from biophysicists and surface scientists to cell biologists and life scientists. The challenge is now to share this information on as wide a platform as possible.

JPK’s new web site provides a simple route to learning more about the applications of many different forms of scanning probe microscopy. There is the core product line of the NanoWizard® BioAFM platform to provide highest resolution imaging, advanced force measurements and simultaneous optical imaging in liquids.

Next is in the area of automated force spectroscopy. For the first time, automation using the ForceRobot® makes it fast enough to deliver high quality data in short time-frames. This is vital for statistically viable data and the ability to deliver up to 80,000 measurements per day is unsurpassed.

NanoOptics are provided to the life sciences through the technique of optical tweezers. The concept of using nanoparticles as a local sensor or probe enables important developments in medicine, molecular and cellular biology. To observe the entrance process of a particle into a cell in real time, in 3D and without perturbation of the biological specimen is a dream of many life science researchers. This is now available through the NanoTracker™ system.

Finally, the new CellHesion® technology is described. This provides the measurement of cell adhesion and cell elasticity. To date, cellular adhesion has been studied with fluorescence microscopy, capillary techniques or mechanical methods such as rotation assays and flow chambers. All these methods have their limitations. Either they provide qualitative, difficult-to-interpret results or are difficult to operate. The need for quantitative and statistically reliable measurements has proved elusive…until now.

The JPK site is a reliable resource for application examples of Scanning Probe and Optical Tweezers technologies. Many examples demonstrate the power of these methods even in combination of standard techniques such as fluorescence microscopy or confocal techniques. The specialist and even the newcomer in the field can find useful hints and tricks to apply nanotechnology to soft materials and to biological questions.

A comprehensive image gallery with images, force curves and other measurements underlines the application expertise from JPK in the field.

JPK invites you to visit their new web site and learn more about the exciting world of nanotechnology and its application to the life sciences. Visit www.jpk.com today.

Ansprechpartner:

Frau Dr. Gabriela Bagordo
Telefon: +49 (30) 5331-12541
Fax: +49 (30) 5331-22555
Zuständigkeitsbereich: Communication Manager
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Über JPK Instruments AG:
JPK Instruments AG is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of nanoanalytic instruments - particularly atomic force microscope (AFM) systems and optical tweezers- for research in life sciences and soft matter.

JPK was recognized as Germany’s fastest growing nanotechnology company in 2007 (Deloitte) and this was demonstrated by the foresight to purchase companies such as lpi and nAmbition enabling rapid time to market for new products such as optical tweezers and automated force spectroscopy systems. From its earliest days applying atomic force microscope (AFM) systems, JPK has recognized the opportunities provided by nanotechnology for application from biophysical to biomedical research, tailoring its instrument platforms to meet user requirements.

Headquartered in Berlin and with operations in Dresden and Cambridge (UK), JPK maintains a global network of distributors and support centers and provides on the spot applications and service support to an ever-growing community of researchers.