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Updated: May 23, 2026
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Near Simultaneous Laser Scanning Confocal and Atomic Force Microscopy (Conpokal) on Live Cells
Published on: August 11, 2020
Development and testing of hyperbaric atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fluorescence microscopy for biological
D P D'Agostino1, H A McNally, J B Dean
1Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Hyperbaric Biomedical Research Laboratory, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA. ddagosti@health.usf.edu
Journal of Microscopy
|March 30, 2012
Summary
We successfully integrated atomic force microscopy and fluorescence microscopy into a hyperbaric chamber, enabling detailed study of cellular responses to hyperbaric gases and pressure.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Microscopy
Background:
- Studying cellular mechanisms under hyperbaric conditions requires specialized equipment.
- Existing microscopy techniques are limited in hyperbaric environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a hyperbaric system for atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fluorescence microscopy.
- To enable in-situ analysis of biological samples under hyperbaric gas exposure.
Main Methods:
- Custom-designed hyperbaric chamber accommodating AFM and fluorescence microscopes.
- Integration of environmental controls (gas, fluid, temperature) and vibration isolation.
- Testing AFM resolution and noise levels under various hyperbaric conditions (air, He, N2).
Main Results:
- AFM achieved sub-nanometre resolution in both contact and tapping modes under hyperbaric pressure.
- Reduced noise levels observed with AFM under hyperbaric air, helium, and nitrogen.
- Successful microscopy measurements on living cell cultures exposed to hyperbaric gases.
Conclusions:
- The developed hyperbaric microscopy system is functional and provides high-resolution imaging.
- This setup facilitates the investigation of cellular and molecular effects of hyperbaric gases.
- Enables novel research into pressure-induced biological changes and oxidative stress mechanisms.
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