Cellular analysis by atomic force microscopy

Despite substantial evidence showing the feasibility of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to identify cells with altered elastic and adhesive properties, the use of this technique as a complementary diagnostic method remains controversial. This book is designed to be a practical textbook that teaches how to assess the mechanical characteristics of living, individual cells by AFM. Following a step-by-step approach, it introduces the methodology of measurements in the case of both determination of elastic properties and quantification of adhesive properties.