Bio AFM

Imaging Live Cells with the Highest Resolution

HydraPic

Only Nanonics Hydra BioAFM Allows For On-line Standard Pipette NanoManipulation

 

 

Live Cell Imaging

 

Introducing Hydra BioAFMTM with VISTATM

HydraColor

 

Nanonics, the leading provider of cutting-edge AFM technology, is proud to present its newest breakthrough in bio atomic force microscopy: the Hydra BioAFMTM featuring VISTATM (Vivid Imaging Soft Touch AFM) mode. This innovation offers ultrasensitive single pN force mapping combined with the benefits of super-resolution optical/fluorescent imaging. Live cell imaging with <100nm optical resolution and direct correlation with AFM topography is now possible. The finest structures, such as microvilli, can now be analyzed with on-line mechanics. (Left:Topography of live MDCK cells imaged with VISTA showing microvilli.)

 

The Hydra BioAFM, with its single or multi-probe capability, allows versatile optical integration with dual microscopes & side illumination. The system enables super-resolution methods like STED, PALM, STORM, and live cell NSOM with any available dye.

The Hydra BioAFM features VISTATM (Vivid Imaging Soft Touch AFM) – enabling live cell imaging with the highest resolutionCombine highest resolution force mapping with controlled and known point of contact. VISTA offers:

  • Live cell imaging with probes exhibiting Q factors in the thousands even in liquid
  • Single pN force measurement – the highest force resolution of any commercial AFM
  • Force spectroscopy – no Jump to Contact, allowing for investigating surface forces to the last nm from the membrane surface
  • Ultralong extended probe tips with large aspect ratio and ideal angle for minimal cell perturbation
  • 90μm Z range – the largest of any commercial AFM for imaging biological samples

 

 

 

Optical Integration

 

The Hydra BioAFM is designed for all forms of optical microscopy. The Hydra is the only BioAFM to integrate with either upright or inverted microscopes and dual (4pi) microscopes. Furthermore, side illumination for light sheet microscopy is available. The Hydra BioAFM has rendered obsolete solutions such as shuttling a sample from your AFM back and forth to an upright microscope. All of this is achieved with no compromise in force sensitivity and resolution. (Right: Extended transparent glass probe with high Q Factor)



 

The Largest Versatility in Optical Configuration

  • Upright
  • Inverted
  • Light sheet side illumination
  • Combined 4 pi illumination (dual upright and inverted microscope)
  • Brightfield & darkfield Phase contrast
  • Epifluorescence
  • TIRF
  • Confocal fluorescence
  • Raman and all forms of spectral Imaging
  • Non linear two, three photon
  • SHG and STED imaging

  

AFM with online water immersion objective for the highest optical resolution and purity

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the Whole Picture

  • Highly scattering tissue
  • Bacterial cultures in Agar
  • Opaque samples, such as microfluidic networks

 

Optical Overlay

Biological research requires a comprehensive view of the sample; by combining multiple perspectives a deeper understanding emerges.

The Hydra BioAFM features a correlated view:

  • AFM overlaid with real-time CCD optical imaging
  • Complete optical access combined with glass AFM probes provides for an unobstructed view
  • Quick and easy probe-sample placement
  • Quick selection of the area of interest for AFM imaging within the CCD image
  • Generate beautiful 3D collages, correlating optical view with topographical and force information

Super-Resolution Optical Imaging

Over the last decade, a new powerful set of farfield optical tools has emerged for optical imaging of biological samples below the diffraction limit. These Super-resolution techniques have opened new horizons in the understanding of key biological phenomena. The Hydra BioAFM is compatible with all optical modes of Super-resolution. It permits the integration of a dual microscope for STED. PALM and STORM with total internal reflection prisms and an upright microscope are readily allowed.

The Hydra BioAFM can combine AFM characterization with the following Super-resolution techniques:

  • STED
  • PALM
  • STORM

 

Below: Imaging of Living MDCK Cells With Dark Dots Indicating MicroVili Staining:

 

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.nanonics.co.il/component/k2/bio-afm#sigProId2b7014a89b

  

NSOM

 

NSOM - A New Frontier in Live Cell Imaging

Near-field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM) marks a paradigm shift in Super-resolution imaging. Live cell imaging with this powerful technique has been compromised in the past by stiff AFM cantilevers. Today Nanonics, with VISTATM, achieves the potential of live cell imaging with NSOM.

Open New Frontiers of Super-resolution Optical Imaging (<100nm):

  • Permits absorption and fluorescence
  • Avoids the need for special dyes
  • Correlates all optical contrast methods with 3D topography
  • Allows highly confined zeptoliter illumination for fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) with physiologically relevant dye concentrations
  • Enables AFM correlated FRET and dynamic FRAP with time resolutions previously unachievable
  • Opens the door for the study of near-membrane phenomena with highly confined Z illumination

 

Below: An NSOM probe is seen approaching yeast cells:

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.nanonics.co.il/component/k2/bio-afm#sigProId1556c3c4d9

 

Key Features

AFM SPECIFICATIONS

1. Scanning Modes:Tip and sample scanning (Ability to scan either tip, sample or both)

2. Tip Scanning Range:

  • MV 2000 BioAFM: XY=90 µm2 and Z=90 µm
  • Hydra BioAFM: XY=40 µm2

3. Sample Scanning Range:

  • MV 2000: XY=90 µm2 and Z=90 µm
  • Hydra BioAFM: XY=90 µm2 and Z=90 µm

4. Closed Loop Scanner (optional): XY=100 µm2 and Z=20 µm

5. Feedback Modes:

  • XY=100 µm2 and Z=20 µm
  • High Q factor Tuning Fork feedback
  • Optical feedback (optional)

 

OPTICAL INTEGRATION

  • Optical Access: Clear optical access from above, below and side
  • Optical Microscope Configurations - Integration with any research grade optical microscope:
  • Upright
  • Inverted
  • Dual optical microscopes (combined upright and inverted)
  • Compatible with high NA optical objectives including water immersion objectives from both above and below

 

OPTICAL MODES OF OPERATION

  • NSOM/SNOM 
  • NSOM Fluorescence 
  • Confocal microscopes 
  • Raman Confocal microscopes 
  • Ability to integrate a variety of Super-resolution methods such as PALM/STORM/STED 

 

ACCESSORIES 

  • Liquid cell with seamless optical integration from above and below 
  • Optional PEEK liquid cell for caustic solutions 
  • Compatible with SECM, SICM 
  • Heating/cooling module using a programmable controller with mKelvin resolution 
  • Chamber for controlled environment with full optical integration for both upright and inverted microscopes 
  • Inlets for gas and humidity control 
  • Micro fluid control


SUPPORTED MODES
All standard SPM operating modes including:

  • Force-distance spectroscopy
  • SECM, SICM
  • Nanolithography & Nanowriting
  • MFM, EFM, Kelvin, Thermal, Electrical resistance, I-V curves etc.


SOFTWARE

  • Dedicated system control and data acquisition
  • Customized scripts and synchronization of data by triggers in real time of imaging
  • Hybrid optical/AFM mode for control and synchronization of hybrid imaging techniques
  • User friendly software with video tutorials and on-line support by our experts
  • Data analysis and processing software

 

Configurations

 

The Nanonics BioAFM platform offers a state of the art solution for biological imaging. Featuring high stability and unparalleled sensitivity, the system easily produces images of the most challenging biological samples with the highest resolution. Nanonics offers two BioAFM models in multiple configurations in order to address a wide range of budgets and experimental requirements.

 

MultiView 2000 BioAFM

  • Compact design
  • Versatile optical configurations
  • XYZ range: 180μm
  • Largest Z range of any commercial AFM

Hydra Multiprobe BioAFM

  • Multiple AFM probes for combined SPM measurements
  • Compatible with standard biological μManipulators
  • Keep your patch clamping pipette in place while imaging with AFM