Imaging in different modes (Phase mode in particular) allow to probe the elasticity of the surface cells, nanoparticles.
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| 3D AFM image of polymer micelle in height (left) and phase (right) modes. Height mode shows the uniform surface of the particles but phase mode clearly reveals the areas of different softness on the surface of the micelle. The sample was provided by Dr. T. Bronich, University of Nebraska Medical Center, USA. | |
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| AFM image of protein-polymer nanoparticles (unpublished data) in height (left) amplitude (middle) and phase mode (right). All 3 AFM modes clearly show the more rigid core (cross-linked complexes) inside the softer (polyethylene glycol) shell of the particles. Sample was provided by Dr. Devika S Manickam, Prof. Alexander V Kabanov’s group at the Center of Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, USA. | |
