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Specialized scanning ion‐conductance microscope for imaging of living cells
Author(s) -
Korchev Y. E.,
Milovanovic M.,
Bashford C. L.,
Bennett D. C.,
Sviderskaya E. V.,
Vodyanoy I.,
Lab M. J.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2818.1997.2430801.x
Subject(s) - scanning ion conductance microscopy , microscope , pipette , scanning probe microscopy , microscopy , materials science , nanotechnology , conductance , scanning electron microscope , biomedical engineering , chemistry , optics , scanning confocal electron microscopy , medicine , physics , mathematics , combinatorics , composite material
A specialized scanning ion conductance microscope (SICM) for imaging living cells has been developed from a conventional patch‐clamp apparatus, which uses a glass micropipette as the sensitive probe. In contrast with other types of scanning probe microscope, the SICM probe has significant advantages for imaging living cells: it is most suitable for imaging samples immersed in water solutions; and since the probe senses ion current and does not need physical contact with the sample during the scan, any preliminary preparation of cells (fixation or adherence to a substrate) is unnecessary. We have successfully imaged murine melanocytes in growth medium. The microscope images the highly convoluted surface structures without damaging or deforming them, and reveals the true, three‐dimensional relief of the cells. This instrument has considerable ability to operate, potentially simultaneously, in applications as diverse as real‐time microscopy, electrophysiology, micromanipulation and drug delivery.