Biophysical Society Thematic Meeting | Riga 2026

Active and Responsive Soft Matter: From Biological to Engineered Systems

Poster Abstracts

11-POS Board 11 ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL MULTI-USER BIO-AFM FACILITY AT NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY Elba E. Serrano 1,5 ; Stanley Cheng 1,5 ; Tatiana Kardashina 2 ; Esai Cisneros 1 ; Sara Fuentes Soriano 3,5 ; Charles Shuster 1,5 ; Jennifer Randall 4,5 ; 1 New Mexico State University, Biology, Las Cruces, NM, USA 2 New Mexico State University, Mechanical Engineering , Las Cruces, NM, USA 3 New Mexico State University, Animal and Range Sciences, Las Cruces, NM, USA 4 New Mexico State University, Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Weed Science, Las Cruces, NM, USA 5 New Mexico State University, Molecular Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Las Cruces, NM, USA Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful tool for investigating the structural and mechanical properties of biological systems at nanometer-scale resolution. To increase regional access to this technology, we established a Bio-AFM facility in southern New Mexico within the Molecular Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences (MBIL) Core Laboratory. The facility houses a Bruker NanoWizard XP Bio-AFM equipped for quantitative force spectroscopy, cell adhesion measurements, and temperature- controlled imaging from −120°C to 220°C. The Bio AFM facility supports research, education, and workforce development through instrument access, technical assistance, and hands-on training. Since its establishment, the facility has served over 50 students, faculty, and staff by offering workshops, individualized instruction, and instrument access for pilot and funded projects. User departments include Biology, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Plant Pathology, and Range Sciences, demonstrating the interdisciplinary value of Bio-AFM technologies. An online Bio-AFM training module is under development for student education. Bio-AFM facility users have successfully undertaken in vivo studies of neural cultures, amphibian oocytes, pollen, roots, and leaves. Research and education outcomes are being disseminated via publications and conference presentations. Comparative investigations identified critical methodological requirements for effective Bio-AFM implementation, including sample preparation, immobilization strategies, tip selection, and optimization of data acquisition parameters. Combined, user outcomes demonstrate the broad utility of Bio-AFM for studying cellular morphology, biomechanics, and biological processes across diverse living systems. Despite these successes, establishment of the facility has been challenged by delays in equipment delivery and installation associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as growing uncertainty about funding for shared research infrastructure. These experiences have provided insights into the logistical, financial, and operational requirements for maintaining shared instrumentation facilities. As the facility expands its capabilities and user base, we invite collaborators interested in applying Bio-AFM technologies to interdisciplinary research and education initiatives that can benefit from access to this resource.

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