Atomic force microscopy for imaging living cells

This project is a MSc project (45 ec = 9 months) and the research will be done in the Biophysical Engineering Group in close collaboration with the Polymer Science and Biomaterials group.
For more detailed information, please contact:

Martin Bennink (m.l.bennink@utwente.nl, +31 53 489 5652)

Introduction

Atomic force microscopy imaging is a technique able to image nanometer-sized structures on flat surfaces. For applications in biology the AFM has been used mostly for imaging relatively hard (non-elastic) surfaces and structures, such as individual biomolecules, such as DNA and proteins. Furthermore stained cells have been successfully imaged with high resolution.

Living cells however are flexible structures and this seriously complicates the atomic force microscopic imaging.

Project description

The aim in this project is to explore possibilities of using AFM for imaging living cells. Aspects that need to be (or can be) considered are:

-	resolution

-	using cantilevers with different spring constants

-	higher frequency tapping

-	use of beads on the tip

Pancreatic cancer cells, obtained from our collaborator at the University of Muenster, will be used as test sample. These cells form extremely small nanotubes made out of membrane material, that connect one cell with the other. Although the function of tubes have not been revealed, it is thought that cells use these for communication purposes.

Atomic force microscopy can reveal information on the topography of these cells as well as the small nanotube structures that are formed.

Electron micrograph of a single cell (left panel) and a cluster of cells connected via nanotubes (right panel)