AFM images can be influenced by the form of the tip. These distortions can be corrected by using our GATTA-AFM 3D nanoruler as a calibration tool with a well-defined and known morphology for blind tip reconstruction.

The design with sharply defined steps of different heights and a height profile well matched for use with a broad range of macromolecular complexes (up to 20 nm).

It combines several characteristics that make it well-suited for blind tip reconstruction:

• Its designed structure contains flat faces in the x-y direction and sharp edges in the z direction, creating a four-step staircase from 2 to 20 nm.
• Consisting of DNA, it is fully biocompatible and can be facily deposited on surfaces alongside other biological macromolecules and imaged both dry and in liquid.
• The above combination of features enables the nanoruler’s application for straightforward AFM image correction for a wide range of 3D nanostructures.

The samples are shipped in solution. The amount of material is sufficient for at least 10 AFM surfaces, densely packed with DNA‑origami structures.