Figure 4

Measuring the specific binding forces of antibiotics. (a) Gold tips were functionalized with bis(vancomycin) cystamide while gold supports terminated with propionic acid groups were covalently reacted with d-Ala-d-Ala-d-Ala peptides. (b) Representative force curve and adhesion force histogram obtained in PBS between a vancomycin tip and a d-Ala-d-Ala support. (c) Control experiment showing a dramatic reduction of adhesion frequency when the force measurements are performed in the presence of free d-Ala-d-Ala-d-Ala peptides. Reprinted with permission from ref. [53]