Video, 2 mins
Understanding DNA using Atomic Force Microscopy
DNA is far too small for ordinary microscopes. Find out how researchers are using touch instead of sight to uncover its structure in remarkable detail.
3 Jun 2026 09:00
Since the discovery of Photo 51, we’ve known about DNA's double helix but seeing how its structure changes along a single, tiny molecule is a massive challenge.
Because DNA is only two nanometers wide, standard imaging just doesn't cut it. In this video, discover how a collaboration between Professor Alice Pyne and Bruker Nano Surfaces & Metrology led to a breakthrough in Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
By "feeling" rather than seeing, this next-generation technology is now available for scientists worldwide to drive new and exciting science.
Credits
Research
- Professor Alice Pyne (Professor of Biophysics at the University of Sheffield)
- Bruker Nano Surfaces & Metrology
- Royce at Sheffield
- School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering
- Faculty of Engineering
Film
- Filmmaker - Ed Cartledge (Sort Of...Films)