The elastic properties of hamster kidney cells evaluated by ultrasonic atomic force microscopy

Ultrasonic atomic force microscopy (U-AFM) was used to image the elastic properties of hamster kidney (BHK) cells. Force-distance curves and finite element analysis were also used to assist in the description of the U-AFM images. These tools helped explain the differences in contrast seen from the center to the edge of the cell. The explanation of the U-AFM image contrast will lead to more analytical tools to investigate both non-viable and viable materials.