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Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Near Simultaneous Laser Scanning Confocal and Atomic Force Microscopy Conpokal on Live Cells
Published on: August 11, 2020
Correlative atomic force microscopy quantitative imaging-laser scanning confocal microscopy quantifies the impact of
Supriya V Bhat1, Taranum Sultana1, André Körnig2
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada.
Abstract:
There is an urgent need to assess the effect of anthropogenic chemicals on model cells prior to their release, helping to predict their potential impact on the environment and human health. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have each provided an abundance of information on cell physiology. In addition to determining surface architecture, AFM in quantitative imaging (QI) mode probes surface biochemistry and cellular mechanics using minimal applied force, while LSCM offers a window into the cell for imaging fluorescently tagged macromolecules. Correlative AFM-LSCM produces complimentary information on different cellular characteristics for a comprehensive picture of cellular behaviour. We present a correlative AFM-QI-LSCM assay for the simultaneous real-time imaging of living cells in situ, producing multiplexed data on cell morphology and mechanics, surface adhesion and ultrastructure, and real-time localization of multiple fluorescently tagged macromolecules. To demonstrate the broad applicability of this method for disparate cell types, we show altered surface properties, internal molecular arrangement and oxidative stress in model bacterial, fungal and human cells exposed to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. AFM-QI-LSCM is broadly applicable to a variety of cell types and can be used to assess the impact of any multitude of contaminants, alone or in combination.
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