Applying a Commercial Atomic Force Microscope for Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy Techniques and Investigation of Cell-cell Signaling

The field of research of this thesis is Condensed Matter Physics applied to Biology. Specifically it describes the development of different Atomic Force Microscopy techniques and tools towards the study of living cells in physiological solution. Particular interest is put into the understanding of the influence of noise in the determination of ordered liquid layers above a mica surface - as work towards the study of the role of water and ions in biological processes - and the influence of "diving bell" to boost the Q factor and allow stable imaging and force spectroscopy with tips based on Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy [LeDue, 2010 and LeDue, 2008]. By combining SNOM techniques as a local illumination method (and thus avoiding photo bleaching of individual molecules) and high resolution AFM techniques we will be able to investigate mechano-transduction and associated signaling in living cells and individual proteins.