Atomic Force Microscopy of Human Blood Cells
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is actively using in the biological objects properties investigations and has a wide range of applications. Researches focused on the studies of fluorescent nanoparticles influence on the morphology and elastic properties of human blood cell membranes. The investigation of fixed and unfixed neutrophils shows that exposure with nanoparticles causes changes in morphology, results in a decrease of the membrane elasticity and encourages the formation of atipical pseudopodia. Also was proved the negative effect on the red blood cells, as evidenced by the change in their shape and size. Our studies have shown that nanoparticles are toxic to blood cells and confirm that the AFM is a convenient and adequate method for biological research, including for solving the problems of the developing trend -nanotoxicology.