Imaging living cells surface and quantifying its properties at high resolution using AFM in QI™ mode

• DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2013.02.003
• Publication Date: 2013-02-26T00:07:16Z
• Authors: L. Chopinet; C. Formosa; M.P. Rols; R.E. Duval; E. Dague
• Keywords: Nanomechanical properties; 0301 basic medicine; 570; 0303 health sciences; [SDV.SP.MED] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Pharmaceutical sciences/Medication; Chemical Phenomena; Surface Properties; Microorganisms; Quantitative imaging; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Imaging; 3. Good health; Atomic force microscopy; Eukaryotic cells; 03 medical and health sciences; [SDV.MP]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Microbiology and Parasitology; Cricetulus; Eukaryotic Cells; [SDV.SP.MED]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Pharmaceutical sciences/Medication; Prokaryotic Cells; Cricetinae; Animals; Humans; [SDV.MP] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Microbiology and Parasitology

Since the last 10 years, AFM has become a powerful tool to study biological samples. However, the classical modes offered (imaging or tapping mode) often damage sample that are too soft or loosely immobilized. If imaging and mechanical properties are required, it requests long recording time as two different experiments must be conducted independently. In this study we compare the new QI™ mode against contact imaging mode and force volume mode, and we point out its benefit in the new challenges in biology on six different models: Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Chinese hamster ovary cells and their isolated nuclei, and human colorectal tumor cells.