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Imaging and Probing Cell Mechanical Properties With the Atomic Force Microscope

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Book cover Cell Imaging Techniques

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 319))

Abstract

This chapter describes the use of the atomic force microscope (AFM) to probe and map out regional variations in apparent elastic properties of living cells. The importance of mechanics in the field of cell biology is becoming more widely appreciated, and the AFM has unique advantages for cell mechanics applications. However, care must be taken in the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of AFM indentation data. To help make this powerful technique accessible to a broad range of investigators, detailed procedures are provided for all stages of the AFM experiment from sample preparation through data analysis and visualization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY

    Kevin D. Costa

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  1. Kevin D. Costa
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

    Douglas J. Taatjes  & Brooke T. Mossman  & 

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Costa, K.D. (2006). Imaging and Probing Cell Mechanical Properties With the Atomic Force Microscope. In: Taatjes, D.J., Mossman, B.T. (eds) Cell Imaging Techniques. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 319. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-993-6_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-993-6_17

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-157-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-993-6

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