Quartz crystal microbalances (QCM) in biomacromolecular recognition

In recent years, there has been an exponential growth in the number of scientific reports in which the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique has been shown to play a key role in elucidating various aspects of biomacromolecular recognition reactions. In this article we present some key steps in the development of the technique, from both a technical and theoretical point of view, which, in our opinion, have been essential for its increasing popularity. This is illustrated by a number of relevant examples, including the added value of the QCM technique to study DNA immobilisation and subsequent hybridisation, supported cell membrane mimics, and more complex systems such as blood coagulation, bacteria and other living cells. This minireview should preferably be read as the authors opinion of the huge potential of the QCM technique to fields of research devoted to biomacromolecular interaction in general.