Bano….Richter {Sci Rep 6: 34176}

A single molecule assay to probe monovalent and multivalent bonds between hyaluronan and its key leukocyte receptor CD44 under force. Sci Rep. 2016 Sep 29;6:34176. doi: 10.1038/srep34176.
Bano et al develop a platform technology that allows studying the mechanics of individual biomolecular bonds and also how several bonds act together, an aspect particularly important for extracellular matrix polysaccharides, such as hyaluronan, because this polymer binds several proteins or cell surface receptors simultaneously.