An atomic force microscope for cytological and histological investigations

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Cell Biology
• Microscopy

Background:

• Traditional microscopy methods have limitations in resolution and sample preparation.
• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) offers high-resolution, non-invasive imaging capabilities.
• Specialized AFM for cytology and histology can bridge the gap between optical and electron microscopy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) designed for cytological and histological applications.
• To evaluate the AFM's capability to image biological samples non-invasively at high resolution.
• To investigate chromosome banding and the effects of trypsin treatment using AFM.

Main Methods:

• Development of a specialized AFM for cytological and histological studies.
• Non-invasive imaging of fixed human metaphase chromosomes.
• Investigation of trypsin's action on chromosome banding and chromatin structure.
• Imaging of thin plant tissue sections.

Main Results:

• AFM successfully imaged human chromosomes and plant tissue sections with high resolution.
• Pre-existing banding patterns, similar to G-banding, were observed in human chromosomes prior to staining and trypsin treatment.
• Trypsin treatment was shown to induce a structural collapse in chromatin.
• AFM provides complementary information to traditional microscopy.

Conclusions:

• The developed AFM is a suitable tool for routine cytological and histological investigations.
• AFM imaging reveals pre-existing chromosome structures and the impact of treatments like trypsin.
• There is a need for user-friendly AFM microscopes for broader adoption in cytology and histology.