Characterization and Handling of Biological Cells

Abstract

This chapter will exclusively focus on the manipulation and characterization of biological cells by an atomic force microscope (AFM). Although other methods such as optical tweezers [1], dielectrophoresis [2], etc. exist, not only would detailed commenting on every branch of biohandling go beyond the scope of this chapter, but also most of these techniques are well established, while AFM-based characterization and manipulation is a strongly developing area. A brief comparison of AFM, dielectrophoresis and optical tweezer as manipulation and characterization methods for biological objects is given in Table 8.1.