Mitochondria & Atomic Force Microscopy

We are using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to non-invasively monitor the physical and electrochemical properties of mitochondria. In these experiments, isolated mouse liver mitochondria are subjected to various bioenergetic states through the introduction of specific inhibitors and activators.

The application of AFM allows for precise measurements of mitochondrial mechanical properties, such as elasticity, height, and volume, under different conditions. By observing changes in these properties, we could assess the impact of bioenergetic alterations on mitochondrial structure and function. For instance, the addition of inhibitors significantly increased the Young's modulus of mitochondria, whereas the addition of ETC activators led to a decrease. Additionally, the AFM was configured to detect changes in mitochondrial activity. Noise was recorded with the probe contacting the mitochondria and subsequent analysis of the noise spectrum revealed distinct low-frequency resonances, which could then be assigned to specific mitochondrial bioenergetic activity. Overall, our research highlights the potential of AFM in monitoring mitochondrial function and physical properties, offering a powerful methodology for investigating mitochondrial bioenergetics with high spatial and temporal resolution. These advances pave the way for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches targeting mitochondrial function in various diseases.