Force sensing for the identification of single-cell microorganisms

Abstract

Identification of cells of a specific type is a fundamental problem both for laboratory analysis and for future nanorobots operating in physiological environments for health care applications. This paper shows that force sensing with Atomic Force Microscopes by using tips functionalized with antibodies is an effective technique for detecting microorganisms that cannot be identified by optical microscopy. Experimental results are presented for the identification of Brown Tide Algae, which are single-cell marine microorganisms with dimensions on the order of 1-2 micrometers, and for several control experiments.