Automated atomic force microscopy reveals expanded view of bacterial biofilms

Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have reimagined the capabilities of atomic force microscopy, or AFM, transforming it from a tool for imaging nanoscale features into one that also captures large-scale biological architecture. Often called a "touching microscope," AFM uses a fine probe to feel surfaces at resolutions down to a billionth of a meter. Although powerful, traditional AFM has been limited by its narrow field of view, making it difficult to understand how individual features fit into larger organizational structures.