Foreword to the special issue on different approaches to force spectroscopy in the research of cell pathologies

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and atomic force spectroscopy (AFS) constantly develop to address the detailed description of biophysical changes occurring during cell pathologies. Although AFM is still not a clinical diagnostic tool, it provides invaluable information on the transition of cells from physiological to pathological states. This special issue on "Different approaches to force spectroscopy in the research of cell pathologies" covers some of the latest scientific reports created to bring AFM closer to diagnosing pathology in biological material.