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Electrostatic force microscopy in biomedicine: From molecular charge transport to cellular electrophenotyping
Junmei Chen1, Qianhui Xu1, Huaiwei Zhang1
1Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering (2024SSY06291), Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, PR China; School of Medical Information Engineering, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, PR China.
Abstract:
Electrostatic Force Microscopy (EFM), an extension of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), characterizes electrical properties at the nanoscale by detecting long range electrostatic force gradients. It enables simultaneous acquisition of topography and electrostatic information from biological samples. Dynamic electrical changes are fundamental across all life processes, from biomolecular charge transport to cellular electrophysiology. EFM's high resolution and nondestructive nature make it essential for revealing the physical mechanisms at biological interfaces. This review systematically elaborates the evolution of EFM principles, including optimized working modes tailored for biology, and analyzes its hierarchical applications, from biomolecules and subcellular structures to cells and pathological diagnosis. Cross scale dielectric correlations and current technical challenges are discussed, alongside advanced solutions such as heterodyne high harmonic detection and multimodal integration, offering a systematic perspective for EFM's translational development in biomedicine.
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