Biomaterial and cellular properties as examined through atomic force microscopy, fluorescence optical microscopies and spectroscopic techniques

Abstract

Colloids, polymers, gels, and biological materials are widely used for numerous technological applications. The design, fabrication, and understanding of the physico-chemical properties of such (bio)materials, however, represent a challenge for scientists and technologists. This review is a concise update of the latest achievements in surface and bulk analytical techniques applied to biomaterials and soft matter systems. Specific emphasis is devoted to their structural, mechanical, surface, and chemical properties. The review introduces the basics of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and discusses its combination with optical microscopies and spectroscopic techniques. In particular, we report the AFM combination with fluorescence, confocal microscopy, stimulated emission depletion, Raman, and infrared spectroscopy. The review highlights the impact and the potential applications of the combination of such experimental techniques on current problems and questions related to material and polymer science, cell biology, biochemical engineering, and protein chemistry. This review is an accessible introduction to AFM for the newcomer and a source of new experimental information for the experienced researcher.

Atomic force microscopy-based force measurements on animal cells and tissues

“…A typical setup might include the AFM head above an xey motorized stage, mounted on an inverted microscope with epifluorescence and bright-field (Figure 3(A)). This approach is ideal for optically transparent samples such as biofilms, gels, or single cells in culture, and many currently available optical/AFM combinations use inverted imaging (Kainz et al, 2014). Upright imaging (Figure 3(B) and (C)) is more challenging: either the presence of the AFM head becomes a spatial constraint for optical components, or imaging must be done through the AFM apparatus.…”

Atomic Force Microscopy Meets Biophysics, Bioengineering, Chemistry, and Materials Science

“…[2][3][4][5][6] In comparison with other characterization techniques, such as electron microscopy (transmission and scanning), AFM seemst ob e more versatile. [7,8] For furtherr eading, the following reviewss ummarize the versatility and measuring properties of AFM in different fields. In addition, AFM can be combined with other characterization techniques, such as fluorescence microscopy or Raman/IR spectroscopy,t oo vercome its own limitations (e.g.,a bsolute distance or chemical fingerprint determination).…”

“…In addition, AFM can be combined with other characterization techniques, such as fluorescence microscopy or Raman/IR spectroscopy,t oo vercome its own limitations (e.g.,a bsolute distance or chemical fingerprint determination). [7,8] For furtherr eading, the following reviewss ummarize the versatility and measuring properties of AFM in different fields. Francis et al discussed the contribution and versatility of the technique appliedt ob iological and biomedical systems.…”

afmToolkit: an R Package for Automated AFM Force-Distance Curves Analysis

“…In the last thirty years, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become a necessary surface analytical tool for life and materials scientists (Müller and Dufrêne, 2008;Kainz et al, 2014). AFM offers the possibility to investigate molecular topographies and dynamical processes at (sub) nanometer scale as a function of time (Hansma et al, 1996;Ortega-Vinuesa et al, 1998;Kuznetsov et al, 2010;Lopez et al, 2010).…”