The object of the proposed research is to develop a near-field scanning microwave microscope (NSMM) capable of discerning real-time differences between conformations of a protein biomolecule.  Selected as an initial biomolecule to scan, serine is readily available in a powder form for -D and -L chiralities, has routine  handling requirements, and simulation data indicates distinct rotational spectroscopy differences around the 8 GHz region.  These two chiral versions of serine will be incorporated into monolayers under, upon, or within a hydrogel spun onto a glass substrate.  This preparation is expected to enable observation of the molecule's microwave spectra under an atomic force microscope (AFM) modified to function as a NSMM.  Analysis of the collected NSMM data should then indicate whether conformational differences are detected in the serine monolayer and will iteratively drive next steps.  If the data does not clearly indicate differences between the chiral molecules then the NSMM can be further augmented to enhance its native resolution.  Several options have been identified for augmentation, with considerations on the front-end including to either introduce additional signal amplification circuitry or to enhance the system's antenna properties through replacing the Rocky Mountain Nanotechnology probe tips with improved or custom designed nanoscale cantilever probe tips.  A potential back-end solution under consideration is to develop matched filter signal processing code to aid discerning signal differences.   Once the NSMM data clearly indicates differences between the serine chiral conformations then another biomolecule, planned to be either retinal or poly-L-lysine, will be setup for scanning to observe conformal changes in real time.