Atomic Force Microscopy Core Facility

 

About our lab

The Atomic Force Microscopy Core Facility, under the direction of Dr. Ana Maria Zaske, is a prominent research facility dedicated to the exploration and application of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in biomedical research. Located within the Internal Medicine – Cardiology Division at UTHealth Houston, the facility focuses on studying the morphological and nanomechanical properties of living biological systems using AFM. With a mission to advance life science research and mitigate diseases, the facility utilizes AFM to gain valuable insights into the nanoscale structural changes and nanomechanical characteristics of molecules, cells, and tissues.

Services include:

• AFM imaging combined with bright-field/fluorescence microscopy
• Topographical imaging of samples in air or liquid environments
• High-resolution imaging
• Time-lapse experiments that show real-time changes in sample morphology or structure
• Nano-probing of samples to measure the interaction of forces between molecules
• Studies of local micromechanical properties of samples (elasticity, stiffness, roughness)
• Data analysis for determination of homogeneity of samples, size distribution, position, mapping and 3D imaging.

All of our services are available for reservation through our iLab portal.

The AFM Core Facility has emerged as a vital platform for comprehensive investigations, offering high-resolution 3D imaging of biological materials and enabling the characterization of their nanomechanical properties. By visualizing and analyzing molecular-level structural changes, the facility plays a crucial role in the development of targeted diagnostics and therapies. With their expertise in AFM operation and applications, the facility is dedicated to advancing biomedical research and making significant contributions to the scientific and medical communities.

For information on current projects, please visit our Projects page.

 

About Ana Maria Zaske, PhD

Dr. Ana Maria Zaske is a distinguished researcher and director of the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) core facility at UTHealth Houston. She received her PhD from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology in the UK, where she specialized in high-resolution AFM. Dr. Zaske’s research journey began in her native country, Mexico, where she utilized AFM to characterize membrane receptors in follicular cells at the Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, UNAM.

In 2008, Dr. Zaske joined UTHealth Houston as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Biotechnology Department, and her exceptional expertise in AFM led her to assume the role of director of the UTHealth Houston AFM core facility in 2014, operating under the Internal Medicine – Cardiology Division. With over 15 years of experience in AFM operation and applications, Dr. Zaske has made significant contributions to the field of biomedical research, particularly in the exploration of nanomechanical properties and their implications in disease mechanisms and treatments.

Under Dr. Zaske’s leadership, the AFM core facility has become a vital resource for studying the nanoscale properties of biological systems, supporting cutting-edge research, and facilitating advancements in scientific and medical investigations. Her commitment to promoting interdisciplinary collaborations and pushing the boundaries of AFM applications has positioned her as a respected leader in the field.

 

Publications

Discover a comprehensive library of research publications by visiting our PubMed link, showcasing the extensive contributions and expertise of Dr. Ana Marie Zaske and her team members. Also, view our Selected Publications page.

View our Publications