High-Resolution Scanning Ion-Conductance Microscopy for the Study of Blood Cell Morphology and Rigidity

The methods of scanning microscopy were used to study blood cells (neutrophil granulocytes, lymphocytes, and erythrocytes) morphology and rigidity. Differences between morphology and adhesion properties of fixed and living cells were shown. The Young’s modulus in various lymphocytes and erythrocytes populations was obtained. Scanning ion-conductance microscopy was compared to the most widespread biological scanning probe methods: atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. It was established that scanning ion-conductance microscopy is capable of obtaining the morphology and stiffness of living cells at one scan.