A new technical approach to monitor the cellular physiology by atomic force microscopy.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become an important medical and biological tool for non-invasive imaging and measuring the mechanical changes of cells since its invention by Binnig et al. AFM can be used to investigate the mechanical properties of cellular events in individual living cells on a nanoscale level. In addition, the dynamic cellular movements induced by biochemical activation of specific materials can be detected in real time with three dimensional resolution. Force measurement with the use of AFM has become the tool of choice to monitor the mechanical changes of variable cellular events. In addition, the AFM approach can be applied to measure cellular adhesion properties. Moreover, the information gathered from AFM is important to understanding the mechanisms related to cellular movement and mechanical regulation. This review will discuss recent contributions of AFM to cellular physiology with a focus on monitoring the effects of antihypertensive agents in kidney cells.