Dynamic single-molecule force spectroscopy: bond rupture analysis with variable spacer length

Dynamic force spectroscopy is a valuable technique to explore the energy landscape of molecular interactions. Polymer spacers are typically used to couple the binding partners to the surfaces. To illustrate the impact of polymer spacers on the measured rupture force and loading rate distributions we used a Monte Carlo simulation, which was adjusted step by step towards realistic experimental conditions. We found that the introduction of a polymer spacer with a discrete length had only a marginal effect. However, a distribution of polymer spacers with different lengths may induce drastic changes on the distributions.