Dimension FastScan Bio

The Dimension FastScan Bio Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) enables high-resolution research of biological dynamics, with temporal resolution of up to 3 frames-per-second for live sample observations. What’s more, it does this while making the AFM easier to use than ever before. Built upon the world’s most advanced large-sample AFM platform, the FastScan Bio AFM adds specialized life science features to this platform for high-resolution, live-sample observation of interacting molecules, membrane proteins, DNA protein binding, inter-cellular signaling and many other dynamic biological studies.

Real-time

panning, zooming and scanning

Allow researchers to observe and study how biomolecular mechanisms function.

Simplified

sample engaging and controls

Deliver easy and immediate nanoscale bioimaging.

Smart Engage

algorithms

Provide flexibility for commercially available or custom-made probes.

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Features

High-Resolution Biological Dynamics

In-situ high-resolution dynamic studies with nanoscale resolution are a reality for a rapidly evolving branch of biological research. Dimension FastScan Bio breaks longstanding barriers to provide these capabilities for routine experimentation. These breakthroughs allow many more researchers to observe and study biomolecular structures and mechanisms. FastScan Bio’s high-resolution and high-speed scanning provide the best available bio tool for the observation of molecules, proteins, DNA, RNA, living cell membranes and tissues, and many other dynamics studies.

Time series of (1:1) DOPC/DPPC supported planar lipid bilayers. Consecutive images, recorded at 0.16 frames-per-second, demonstrate the stability of the taller DPPC gel phase domains and hence the highly sensitive force control of FastScan at high scan speeds. Imaging was conducted using TappingMode™ under aqueous conditions. Height images are shown. (Image size = 3μm; Z-scale = 3.2nm.)

Technology Designed for Live Samples

FastScan Bio's innovative AFM technology enables high-speed scanning and a seamless user interface to render immediate panning, zooming and continuous tracking of samples in fluid. Bruker’s new innovative probe design with unique cantilever shape and coating enables an uprecedented combination of imaging speed and softness. The resulting system delivers the scanning speed required for high-resolution spatiotemporal studies with the greatest simplicity ever seen in a commercial AFM system.

Simplified sample engaging and controls for immediate imaging
Real-time panning, zooming and scanning
Feature tracking and Movie creation tool
Micro-volume fluid cell with controlled fluid exchange

Applications

FastScan Bio Data Gallery

High-resolution image of DNA recorded at 0.5 frames-per-second. Lambda digest DNA was adsorbed on a mica surface and imaged using TappingMode under aqueous conditions. The inset image shows same DNA strand captured at 3 frames-per-second. (Image size = 500nm; feature height = 1.8nm; Z-scale = 4.3nm.)

Time series of CM15 antimicrobial activity on live E. coli cells. CM15 (10μg/mL) was added to the imaging fluid at t=0s and images recorded every 18s at a resolution of 1024 x 256 pixels. Every seventh image in the time series is shown once the effects of CM15 were first observed at ~7.5min. HS-AFM imaging revealed an increase in the roughness or corrugation of the bacterial cell surfaces that is believed to be the direct result of the incorporation of CM15 into the outer membrane. The onset of these changes was observed to occur at different times for individual cells.

FastScan AFM imaging allowed direct observation of nanoscale ordered structures, corresponding to closely packed porin molecules, on the native outer membrane of live E. coli cells. CM15 (20μg/mL) was added to the imaging fluid at t=0s and images were recorded every 8 seconds at a resolution of 1024 x 256 pixels. Every second image in the time series is shown after ~96s incubation when the effects of CM15 were first observed as an increase in membrane roughness (corresponding graph shown above), accompanied by the disappearance of the ordered porin structures, membrane micellization, and the appearance of “pore-like” lesions in the membrane surface.

AFM image sequence of the leading front of a migrating stem cell showing the formation of two extended lamellipodia. As the cell ‘crawls’ forward, membrane flows to the cell front filling in the space between the lamellipodia. Images were recorded every 40 seconds at a resolution of 512 x 128 pixels.

Graph showing the rapid increase in surface roughness of the outer membrane of a live E. coli cell after exposure to the antimicrobial peptide CM15 (20μg/mL). Data points corresponding to the individual images in video strip below are indicated by the arrows. The inset phase images show the location on the cell where the high-resolution data was obtained (red boxes) and confirm that the observed changes to the outer membrane structure occurred over the entire cell and thus were not tip-induced.

Accessories

Bruker AFM Probes

Find a wide variety of AFM probes, cantilevers and accessories in our online store. Our AFM expertise is built into every probe!

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Testimonials

Hear What Our Customers Have to Say

The FastScan Bio AFM has improved performance over conventional AFMs, as we have achieved resolution close to the helical repeat of the DNA strands that make up the origami nanotiles. The smaller FastScan probes and high stability of this AFM platform are key to obtaining high-resolution imaging under liquid. This improved resolution is helping us answer questions about the formation and stability of DNA origami for future nanomaterials applications.

Professor Neil Thomson, Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, UK

The higher speed and stability of the FastScan Bio gives us the first direct insight into membrane nanodomain dynamics. The movies we capture of motion in model cell membranes under increasing temperature let us quantify domain line tensions and observe the breakdown of large lipid domains into much smaller nanoscale fluctuations. We can now directly correlate domain lifetime with size at and above the critical temperature.

Dr. Simon Connell, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, UK

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