Automation of Bio-Atomic Force Microscope Measurements on Hundreds of <em>C. albicans</em> Cells

Abstract

The method presented in this paper aim at automatizing Bio-AFM experiments and especially the recording of force curves. Using this method, it is possible to record, in 4 hours, forces curves, on 1000 cells, automatically. To maintain a 4 hours analysis time, the number of force curves per cell is reduced down to 9 or 16. The method combines a Jython based program and a strategy for assembling cells on defined patterns. The program, implemented on a commercial Bio-AFM, is able to center the tip on the first cell of the array and then to move, automatically, from cell to cell while recording force curves on each cell. Using this methodology, it is possible to access the biophysical parameters of the cells such as their rigidity, their adhesive properties etc. Thanks to the automation and the large number of cells analyzed, one can access the