I) The cell membrane examined by High Speed-AFM

Samples: Integral membrane proteins / Membrane-bound proteins / Drug interacting with the cell membrane   

Data: Label-free visualisation of individual membrane proteins (structure, dynamics and external stimuli) / Label-free visualisation of the supramolecular environment of the membrane (structure, dynamics and external stimuli) /  Mechanical measurements and manipulations using the tip of the AFM

Results: Physics of the interactions between the membrane proteins, their supramolecular environment and external stimuli (soluble proteins, salinity, pH, force, radiated light) / Biological and medical implications

II) Technical developments

-Diamond coated HS-AFM probes

-Faster HS-AFM

-Integration of HS-AFM and Optical Microscopy

III) Emerging lines

- Mechanics of the infectious processes

Sample: Salmonella infection of HeLa cells

Data: Mechanical properties of the infected host cells

Results: Salmonella infection affects the mechanical properties of cells

- Enveloped virus: structure-mechanics-dynamics-function

Samples: VSV virus / B. Alphavirus

Data: HS-AFM imaging

Results: Dynamics of assembly and membrane interaction

• For more information

https://sites.google.com/view/ignaciocasuso/biological-research 

https://sites.google.com/view/ignaciocasuso/technical-development

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ignacio_Casuso