Probing action potentials of single beating cardiomyocytes using atomic force microscopy

This paper presents a method for using atomic force microscopy to probe action potentials of single beating cardiomyocytes at the nanoscale. In this work, the conductive tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM) was used as a nanoelectrode to record the action potentials of self-beating cardiomyocytes in both the non-constant force contact mode and the constant force contact mode. An electrical model of a tip–cell interface was developed and the indentation force effect on the seal of an AFM conductive tip–cell membrane was theoretically analyzed. The force feedback of AFM allowed for the precise control of tip–cell contact, and enabled reliable measurements. The feasibility of simultaneously recording the action potentials and force information during the contraction of the same beating cardiomyocyte was studied. Furthermore, the AFM tip electrode was used to probe the differences of action potentials using different drugs. This method provides a way at the nanoscale for electrophysiological studies on single beating cardiomyocytes, neurons, and ion channels embedded within the cell membrane in relation to disease states, pharmaceutical drug testing and screening.