Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) has become the main characterizationtechnique and atomic force microscopy (AFM) the most frequently used SPM.Over the past twenty years, SPM techniques that were previously experimental innature have become routine. At the same time, investigations using AFMcontinue to yield impressive results that demonstrate the great potential of thispowerful imaging tool, particularly in close to physiological conditions. In thisspecial issue a collaboration of researchers in Europe report the use of AFM toprovide high-resolution topographical images of individual carbon nanotubesimmobilized on various biological membranes, including a nuclear membrane forthe first time (Lamprecht C et al 2009 Nanotechnology 20 434001).
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