Localization of individual biomolecules on sensor surfaces

Scanning probe microscopy techniques have been used to investigate biosensor surfaces. Complementarily, the surfaces have been characterized using immunoanalytical and radioanalytical methods which average over a large number of biomolecules. This combination of local probe and averaging techniques provides detailed information about the density, the homogeneity and the functionality of biomolecules immobilized on surfaces. Surface analysis at molecular resolution is especially important for the development of sensor surfaces, designed at nanometer scale. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.