Imaging Fibroblast Cells Using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
Adapted from Live Cell Imaging, 2nd edition (ed. Goldman et al.). CSHL Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA, 2010.INTRODUCTION
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) can be used to visualize the three major cytoskeletal components that contribute to the mechanical properties of the cell. These are actin microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. In this protocol, rat embryonic fibroblasts expressing actin tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) are used to demonstrate this procedure.
