Nanoscale Structure & Properties of Microbial Cell Surfaces

This book presents an accessible and comprehensive survey of recent advances in the understanding of the structure and properties of microbial cell surfaces. Gathering leading experts in the field, it is the first book to cover the fundamental knowledge of microbial cell surfaces at the nanometre-scale resolution that is now provided by various scanning probe microscopy techniques (SPM). The advent of SPM has recently opened up a wide range of novel and fascinating applications for biological research. The book presents the most recent advances in the application of SPM techniques to study cell surfaces. It is a useful guide for researchers that are seeking to tap the power and scope of this technology to further their own work on cell surface structure and properties. The book also provides the reader with a realistic appreciation of the advantages and limitations of the SPM techniques, as well as the potential of these techniques to advance our understanding of biological systems to a new level.