Backstep scanning ion conductance microscopy as a tool for long term investigation of single living cells

Abstract

Scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) is a suitable tool for imaging surfaces of living cells in a contact-free manner. We have shown previously that SICM in backstep mode allows one to trace the outlines of entire cell somata and to detect changes in cellular shape and volume. Here we report that SICM can be employed to quantitatively observe cellular structures such as cell processes of living cells as well as cell somata of motile cells in the range of hours. © 2009 Happel and Dietzel; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.