Korchev Y E, Bashford C L, Milovanovic M, Vodyanoy I, Lab M J
Department of Physiology, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, University of London, England.
Biophys J. 1997 Aug;73(2):653-8. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3495(97)78100-1.
Currently there is a great interest in using scanning probe microscopy to study living cells. However, in most cases the contact the probe makes with the soft surface of the cell deforms or damages it. Here we report a scanning ion conductance microscope specially developed for imaging living cells. A key feature of the instrument is its scanning algorithm, which maintains the working distance between the probe and the sample such that they do not make direct physical contact with each other. Numerical simulation of the probe/sample interaction, which closely matches the experimental observations, provides the optimum working distance. The microscope scans highly convoluted surface structures without damaging them and reveals the true topography of cell surfaces. The images resemble those produced by scanning electron microscopy, with the significant difference that the cells remain viable and active. The instrument can monitor small-scale dynamics of cell surfaces as well as whole-cell movement.
目前，人们对使用扫描探针显微镜研究活细胞有着浓厚的兴趣。然而，在大多数情况下，探针与细胞柔软表面的接触会使其变形或受损。在此，我们报告一种专门为活细胞成像而开发的扫描离子电导显微镜。该仪器的一个关键特性是其扫描算法，该算法可保持探针与样品之间的工作距离，使它们不会直接相互物理接触。与实验观察结果紧密匹配的探针/样品相互作用的数值模拟提供了最佳工作距离。该显微镜能够扫描高度复杂的表面结构而不造成损伤，并揭示细胞表面的真实形貌。这些图像类似于扫描电子显微镜所产生的图像，但显著的区别在于细胞仍保持存活和活跃状态。该仪器可以监测细胞表面的小规模动态以及整个细胞的运动。
