Atomic Force Microscopy on Biological Materials Related to Pathological Conditions

Area of Science:

• Nanomedicine
• Biophysics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Atomic force microscopy (AFM) provides high-resolution nanoscale imaging and mechanical characterization of biological samples under physiological conditions.
• Its ability to analyze surfaces makes it crucial for medical and pharmaceutical applications.
• AFM is versatile, applicable to biomolecules, biomaterials, cells, and tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in applying AFM to biological materials relevant to health and disease.
• To explore AFM's capabilities in nanocharacterization for diagnosing pathological conditions.
• To showcase AFM's utility in studying diseases like osteoarthritis, cancer, Alzheimer's, and HIV.

Main Methods:

• Review of AFM components, imaging modes, and coupled systems.
• Analysis of AFM's application in nanocharacterizing collagen and its relation to pathologies.
• Examination of AFM's role in detecting nanoscale changes associated with diseases like osteoarthritis, cancer, Alzheimer's, and HIV.

Main Results:

• AFM enables detailed structural and mechanical analysis of biological materials at the nanoscale.
• AFM can identify pathological changes in collagen, indicative of diseases.
• AFM facilitates the detection of disease biomarkers, such as amyloid fibrils and viruses.

Conclusions:

• AFM is an invaluable tool for early detection of pathological conditions.
• Its applications span bio- and nanomedicine, offering realistic and accurate medical insights.
• AFM's high resolution and versatility make it ideal for investigating health and sickness at the molecular level.