The Feel of Cancer Cells

December 4, 2007 | Source: Technology Review

UCLA researchers are using atomic-force microscopy to probe the surface of cancer cells in an attempt to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Cancer cells found in samples they studied were much softer than normal cells.

Using the sharp point of an atomic-force microscope, UCLA researchers apply pressure to living cancer cells taken from patients (Sarah Cross and James K. Gimzewski, UCLA)

Using the sharp point of an atomic-force microscope, UCLA researchers apply pressure to living cancer cells taken from patients (Sarah Cross and James K. Gimzewski, UCLA)