Juan Salazar: AFM as a tool to visualize and characterize molecular Interactions in aphid acrostyle (Séminaire Interne MAP) - Equipe MTSB

Juan Salazar, post-doctorant dans l'équipe MTSB.

Aphids possess an acrostyle located at the tip of their stylet. The acrostyle is a small organ with unique structural and chemical properties that appears to play a key role in the transmission of non-persistent plant viruses. By integrating physics, chemistry, and biology, it becomes possible to gain a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying such biological interactions. In this work, we explore the potential of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) as a tool to visualize and characterize molecular interactions within the acrostyle. Through chemical functionalization of AFM tips, we can measure parameters such as hydrophilicity, providing valuable insights into the nature of interactions occurring in this specialized organ, even though significant challenges remain in achieving reliable biological imaging.