A scanning tunneling microscopy study of rabbit metallothionein

Abstract

The application of scanning probe methods to the high-resolution imaging of biological structure has been developing rapidly during the past few years. In contrast to diffraction and electron microscopy methods, imaging is direct and can be carried out under fluid. Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) allows a resolution of electronic as well as topographic structure, and we are accordingly interested in its application to the high resolution imaging of metalloproteins. PARAGRAPH MARK REMOVED. Metallothionein has been imaged under buffered solution by in situ STM. The dumbbell morphology has been resolved and the metal centers appear to give rise to enhanced tunneling current.