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Atom Probe Tomography Analysis of Exsolved Mineral Phases
Published on: October 25, 2019
What lies beneath? Scanning probe tomography may have the answer
Michael J Conneely1, Paul A Campbell
1Carnegie Laboratory for Physics and Division of Molecular Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|May 16, 2013
Summary
Scanning probe microscopy now images subsurface biological structures. New needle probes enable high-resolution, noninvasive analysis of intracellular components, expanding microscopy applications.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Microscopy
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) offers high-resolution, noninvasive imaging of biological surfaces.
- Current SPM applications are limited to surface phenomena, restricting analysis of intracellular structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extend SPM capabilities for imaging subsurface biological targets.
- To investigate the potential of high aspect-ratio probes for intracellular analysis.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing advanced scanning probe microscopy techniques.
- Employing novel, extremely high aspect-ratio 'needle' probe tips.
- Applying the method to analyze intracellular components within the stratum corneum.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated feasibility of noninvasive subsurface imaging using SPM.
- Successfully imaged intracellular components previously inaccessible to SPM.
- High-resolution topographical data obtained from delicate biological structures.
Conclusions:
- High aspect-ratio probes significantly expand SPM's utility beyond surface imaging.
- SPM can now be applied to study intracellular structures in biological samples.
- This advancement opens new avenues for high-resolution analysis of subsurface biological targets.
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