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Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a type of scanning probe microscopy that can analyze topographic details of various specimens like ceramics, glass, polymers, and biological samples. AFM offers over 1000 times more resolution than the optical imaging system. Images generated from AFM are three-dimensional surface profiles, offering an advantage over the flat, two-dimensional images from other imaging techniques.
The AFM Probe
The probe is regarded as the heart of any AFM setup and comprises the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Atomic Force Microscopy Combined with Infrared Spectroscopy as a Tool to Probe Single Bacterium Chemistry

Atomic Force Microscopy Combined with Infrared Spectroscopy as a Tool to Probe Single Bacterium Chemistry

Published on: September 15, 2020

AFM for nanoscale microbe analysis.

Yves F Dufrêne¹

¹Unité de Chimie des Interfaces, Université Catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 2/18, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. dufrene@cifa.ucl.ac.be

|February 27, 2008

Summary

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) enables detailed nanoscale surface analysis of microbial cells, crucial for biotechnology and medicine. This powerful nanotechnique visualizes live cell ultrastructure and molecular interactions for advanced research.

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Biophysics
Nanotechnology

Background:

Nanoscale surface analysis of microbial cells is a significant challenge in current microbiology.
Understanding microbial cell surfaces is critical for developing new biotechnological and biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the capabilities of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for microbial cell surface analysis.
To encourage microbiologists and biophysicists to utilize AFM for advanced research.

Main Methods:

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for topographic imaging of live microbial cells under physiological conditions.
Chemical Force Microscopy (CFM) to measure molecular forces and chemical properties at the nanoscale (25 functional groups).
Molecular Recognition Imaging using AFM to localize specific cell surface receptors.

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Main Results:

AFM allows visualization of microbial cell ultrastructure and modifications due to growth or drug treatment.
CFM provides quantitative data on molecular forces and chemical properties of cell surfaces.
AFM-based molecular recognition imaging can map specific receptors like adhesion proteins and antibiotic binding sites.

Conclusions:

AFM is a powerful, multifunctional nanotechnique for microbial cell surface analysis.
AFM offers unprecedented resolution for studying live cells and their interactions.
Increased adoption of AFM by microbiologists and biophysicists is anticipated for novel applications.