The Eyes of Nanotechnology (IMAGE)

Arizona State University

The Eyes of Nanotechnology

Caption

Ros' focused on an instrument to make cell mechanical measurements that often represents the eyes of nanotechnology, called Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). AFMs are a commercially available tool widely used in nanotechnology, and fairly easy to use. AFMs are so sensitive, they can see down to the level of individual atoms, and for the study, the mechanical forces within the cell. An AFM probe, which is like a record player arm and a type of cone-shaped needle, can apply a force on the surface of a single cell and measure the deformation. The probes can be interchanged to measure the cellular forces at different scales.

Credit

Robert Ros, ASU

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