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Updated: May 19, 2026
Atomic Force Microscopy Cantilever-Based Nanoindentation: Mechanical Property Measurements at the Nanoscale in Air and Fluid
Published on: December 2, 2022
Scale-independent roughness value of cell membranes studied by means of AFM technique
Palma D Antonio1, Maria Lasalvia, Giuseppe Perna
1Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Foggia, Viale Pinto, Italy.
Abstract:
The roughness of cell membrane is a very interesting indicator of cell's health state. Atomic Force Microscopy allows us to investigate the roughness of cell membrane in great detail, but the obtained roughness value is scale-dependent, i.e. it strongly depends on measurement parameters, as scanning area and step size. The scale-dependence of the roughness value can be reduced by means of data filtration techniques, that are not standardized at nanometric scale, especially as far as biological data are concerned. In this work, a new method, based on the changes of values of some roughness parameter (root mean square roughness and skewness) as a function of filtration frequencies, has been implemented to optimize data filtering procedure in the calculation of cell membrane roughness. In this way, a root mean square roughness value independent of cell shape, membrane micro-irregularities and measurement parameters can be obtained. Moreover, different filtration frequencies selected with this method allow us to discriminate different surface regimes (nominal form, waviness and roughness) belonging to the raw cell profile, each one related to different features of the cell surface.
Insights
This study introduces a new method to accurately measure cell membrane roughness using Atomic Force Microscopy. The technique optimizes data filtering, yielding reliable roughness values independent of measurement parameters for assessing cell health.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Surface Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cell membrane roughness is a key indicator of cell health.
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) provides detailed cell surface topography but yields scale-dependent roughness values.
- Existing data filtration techniques lack standardization for nanoscale biological data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, optimized data filtering method for calculating cell membrane roughness.
- To obtain scale-independent roughness values using Atomic Force Microscopy.
- To establish a method for discriminating different surface regimes of the cell profile.
Main Methods:
- Implemented a new data filtering method analyzing roughness parameters (root mean square roughness, skewness) against filtration frequencies.
- Applied the method to Atomic Force Microscopy data of cell membranes.
- Utilized filtration frequency analysis to optimize data processing.
Main Results:
- Achieved a root mean square roughness value independent of cell shape, micro-irregularities, and measurement parameters.
- Demonstrated that optimized filtration frequencies allow discrimination of distinct surface regimes (nominal form, waviness, roughness).
- The method effectively reduces the scale-dependence of roughness measurements.
Conclusions:
- The developed method provides a robust approach for quantifying cell membrane roughness.
- This technique enhances the reliability of AFM-based cell health assessments.
- The ability to differentiate surface regimes offers deeper insights into cell surface features.
