Solvent effects on the elasticity of polysaccharide molecules in disordered and ordered states by single-molecule force spectroscopy

Single-molecule force spectroscopy, especially as implemented on an atomic force microscopy (AFM) platform is unique in its ability to apply small (F<10 pN) and large (F>1000 pN) stretching forces to individual polymer chains and in this way examines their elasticity and also reports force-induced conformational transitions in whole polymers and in their building blocks. In this paper, we briefly review recent applications of single-molecule force spectroscopy to the study of polysaccharides elasticity. We provide examples illustrating AFM measurements of solvent effects on the hydrogen bonding and the elasticity of individual polysaccharides and how molecular dynamics simulation can aid the interpretation of AFM results. We also discuss the use of single-molecule force spectroscopy in exploring ordered secondary structures of individual polysaccharide chains and their multi-strand complexes.