Bio Atomic Force Microscopy

BioAFM is an atomic force microscope specifically adapted for studying biological samples and soft matter. BioAFM instruments can measure soft, fragile, and challenging samples — including single molecules, nucleic acids, bacteria, living cells, and tissues — under near-physiological conditions without damaging their structures. These instruments are uniquely capable of performing non-invasive measurements on biological samples and label-free measurements in liquid.

Bruker’s BioAFM allows life science and biophysics researchers to further their investigations in the fields of cell mechanics and adhesion, mechanobiology, cell-cell and cell-surface interactions, cell dynamics, and cell morphology. We can use this technique to further study the following parameters:

• Morphology: Accurate force control and precise movements allow the scanning of surface morphologies with extreme accuracy
• Dynamics: Highest scanning speeds enable the real-time visualization of dynamic biological processes as well as phase and structural transitions
• Nanomechanics: Specialized BioAFM instrumentation enables label-free, multiparametric characterization of nanoscale biomechanical properties, such as Young’s Modulus or unbinding forces
• Microrheology and viscoelastic properties: Highly reproducible force curves and microrheological measurements enable the study of viscoelastic properties
• Structure: Automated long-term measurement routines and hardware allow the study of the structure and dynamics of protein folding and unfolding events
• Measurement of interaction forces at the cellular level: Cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion can be quantified using single-cell force spectroscopy and large piezos.