Dynamic surface events measured by simultaneous probe microscopy and surface plasmon detection

The in situ study of dynamic surface events has significant implications for developing a deeper understanding of macromolecular interactions at or near the solid-liquid interface. Here we describe a new approach to studying this interface using a novel combined surface plasmon resonance and surface force microscope (SPR-SFM) which allows the simultaneous in situ acquisition of the surface kinetic and topographic data. We illustrate the potential of this instrumentation in two key fields of biomedical research, polymer surface degradation and surface adsorption phenomena. The instrument allows the determination of the kinetics of nanometric changes in the thickness of the polymer films and the visualization of the corresponding surface topographical changes on polymer erosion. The kinetics of the adsorption of the protein fibrinogen to a polymer interface are realized to molecular resolution. In conclusion, we believe that the synergistic combination of SPR and SFM offers an elegant approach to the quantitative study of dynamic surface events at the molecular level.