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Related Concept Videos

Atomic Force Microscopy01:08

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...
Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

Studying the Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Bacterial Immobilization for Imaging by Atomic Force Microscopy
10:03

Bacterial Immobilization for Imaging by Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: August 10, 2011

Bacterial immobilization for imaging by atomic force microscopy.

David P Allison1, Claretta J Sullivan, Ninell Pollas Mortensen

  • 1Biological and Nanoscale Systems Group, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA.

Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|August 24, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Gelatin-coated mica enables high-resolution imaging of negatively charged bacteria using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in liquid. This minimally invasive method immobilizes cells via electrostatic interactions, preserving their natural state for study.

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Last Updated: May 30, 2026

Bacterial Immobilization for Imaging by Atomic Force Microscopy
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Contact Mode Atomic Force Microscopy as a Rapid Technique for Morphological Observation and Bacterial Cell Damage Analysis
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Contact Mode Atomic Force Microscopy as a Rapid Technique for Morphological Observation and Bacterial Cell Damage Analysis

Published on: June 30, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Microbiology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) offers high-resolution, nm-scale mechanical surface probing.
  • AFM can image cells and biomolecules in liquid without chemical fixation.
  • Sample immobilization is crucial for AFM imaging, requiring minimally invasive techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a method for immobilizing negatively charged bacteria on mica surfaces for AFM imaging in liquid.
  • To investigate the effectiveness of gelatin coating on mica for bacterial sample preparation.
  • To ensure the immobilization technique preserves bacterial metabolic and functional attributes.

Main Methods:

  • Mica surfaces were coated with porcine gelatin.
  • Negatively charged bacterial cells were incubated on the gelatin-coated mica.
  • Bacterial immobilization was achieved through electrostatic interactions.
  • Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used to image the immobilized bacteria in a liquid environment.

Main Results:

  • Gelatin-coated mica effectively immobilized negatively charged bacteria.
  • Immobilization is attributed to electrostatic attraction between bacteria and gelatin.
  • Factors influencing immobilization include liquid composition, incubation time, bacterial strain, and imaging medium.
  • The method proved generally applicable for imaging various microbial cells.

Conclusions:

  • Gelatin-coated mica provides a robust and generally applicable substrate for immobilizing microbial cells for AFM imaging.
  • This technique allows for minimally invasive, high-resolution imaging of bacteria in their native liquid environment.
  • The electrostatic interaction between gelatin and bacterial cells is key to successful immobilization.