Atomic force microscopy-infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR) is a technique that combines the nanoscale spatial resolution of AFM with the chemical specificity of IR spectroscopy. However, conventional AFM-IR methods suffer from low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), nonchemical artifacts, and inaccurate spectra. A recent advance, null-deflection AFM-IR (NDIR), overcomes these limitations and enables high-fidelity nanoscale chemical imaging of biological samples.
Small molecule imaging plays a crucial role in comprehending biological structures, functions, and disease mechanisms. In this presentation, we will show the effectiveness of this imaging technique through the exploration of different biological samples, such as the intricate visualizations of cellular ultrastructure in thin sections of breast cancer cells. Challenges posed by the extension of this technique to different types of samples and ongoing efforts to make instrumental enhancements will be discussed as well.
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