Correlation Force Spectroscopy for Single Molecule Measurements

Chapter 1 - Introduction
Overview of Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy Techniques
Experiments Using Single molecule AFM
Limitations of AFM-based single molecule force spectroscopy
Summary

Chapter 2- Correlation Force Spectroscopy
Correlation Force Spectroscopy: Rationale
Correlation Force Spectroscopy: Development
Laterally Offset Configuration
Vertically Offset Configuration
Analysis of Correlations between Two Cantilevers
Validation of Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem for One Cantilever
Analysis of Thermal Fluctuations to obtain Correlations

Chapter 3- Dynamics of Single Molecules
Elastic Properties of Single Molecules: Worm-Like Chain and Freely-Jointed Chain Models
Hydrodynamics of Single Molecules: Dumbbell Model and Rouse Model
Internal Friction
Rouse with Internal Friction
Model of Linear Viscoelasticity of a Semiflexible Chain
Summary

Chapter 4- Microrheology with Correlation Force Spectroscopy
Existing Techniques of Rheometry
Experimental Methods
Comparison to Finite Element Analysis
Comparison to Simple Harmonic Oscillator Model
Summary

Chapter 5- Development of Colloidal Probe Correlation Force Spectroscopy: Case Study
Materials and Methods
Analysis
Results
Discussion
Summary

Chapter 6- Correlation Force Spectroscopy for Single Molecule Measurements
Effect of the Distance between Cantilever Tips
Harmonic Oscillator Modeling of Vertically Offset Correlation Force Spectroscopy
Summary

Chapter 7- Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy of Dextran
Materials and Methods
Results
Stretching a Dextran Molecule
Static Force-Elongation Mode
Dynamic Correlated Fluctuations Mode
Discussion
Summary

Chapter 8- Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy of Single-Stranded DNA
Rationale
Introduction Materials and Methods
Modal Analysis
Results
Discussion
Summary

Chapter 9- Summary
An Overview of Chapters
Future Work

Appendix I: Simple Harmonic Oscillator Model for Laterally Offset Correlation Force Spectroscopy

Appendix II: Simple Harmonic Oscillator Model for Vertically Offset Correlation Force Spectroscopy with Tethered Molecule

References