Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has revealed as a powerful tool to study human pathology, in fields ranging from cancer, cardiovascular and blood diseases, since it is suitable to perform studies on different molecules, cell/ tissue types at physiological conditions. The main principle is based in the interatomic forces stablished between a probe tip and the sample causing the cantilever to deflect as the samples’ surface topography changes. A laser light reflected from the back of the cantilever measures the deflection of the cantilever. In this lab session the participants will be introduced to the AFM/IFM techniques, having the opportunity to learn about the determination of morphometric parameters to the characterization of biomechanical properties of cells. As well, students will learn how to use different software for the analysis of the data arising from these studies. Applets software will be used to analyze the Thermal tune data to obtain the force constant of the cantilevers and to analyze AFM force distance curves, to calculate the mechanical properties of the samples.
November 15th, 16th and 17th 2017
i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde | Lab 222S2 and Room 2
Course Coordination: Manuela Brás, i3S/ INEB (mbras@i3s.up.pt)
Susana Sousa, i3S/ INEB/ ISEP
Pedro Granja, i3S/ INEB/ ICBAS
Course Contents
- Atomic Force Microscopy coupled with Inverted Fluorescence Microscopy and its biological applications
- Topography and morphometric analysis
- Force Spectroscopy in cardiovascular and neural diseases
- Mechanics in diseases
Invited Speakers
Ana Paula Pêgo, i3S / INEB, ICBAS, FEUP, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
André Kornig, JPK- Instruments AG, Berlin, Germany
Manfred Radmacher, Biophysics Institute, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Nuno Santos, IMM, FMUL, University of Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
Course requirements:
Participants are asked to bring their laptops (a Java Applet version will be available).
Grants
With the support from ARBRE-MOBIEU there are up to 6 Grants available to cover expenses. Each grant can cover:
a) Accommodation of up to 3 nights at a flat rate of 80 euros per night;
b) The registration fee;
c) Up to 250 euros for Travel.
These grants are provided under the rules laid out by the COST vademecum in what concerns the support of training schools.
Form for grant application can be downloaded here and should be submitted at the application form.
Recipients of an ARBRE-MOBIEU Grant are required to submit a brief report (1 page maximum) describing the achievements during the training school. The report must be received by the ARBRE-MOBIEU Training WG leader (Frederico Silva; ffsilva@ibmc.up.pt) within 1 month of the end of the event to enable payment of the Grant.
FEES:
i3S members - 140 € | General registration - 180 €
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 05 October
Participants should submit a CV and motivation letter in the application form.
Payment Deadline: November 1st 2017
Application Form >>
Limit of participants: 15
The selection criteria are the following:
- The participants will be selected according to its CV and motivation letter;
- Those participants who demonstrate that the use of these technologies are essential to their research work, will be given priority;
- Those participants, which research project will benefit with the technologies presented in this workshop;
- A wide geographical spread, gender balance and the involving early career investigators will be valued.
In case of equal ranking in terms of application, the participant will be chosen taking into account if she/ he is a member of the COST action and the participation from Inclusiveness Target Countries will be valued.
Selection will be done by the course coordinators. Results will be communicated up to 5 days after the application deadline.
ECTS
The course is accredited with 1 ECTS. In case you want to get the ECTS credit, you have to attend the total program: 24 hours for the hands-on practices and 3 hours for the preparation for the exam.
Attendance to all sessions and to the final exam are mandatory. Besides the normal registration, if you are interested in ECTS please submit a copy of your ID card and the certificate of the higher degree on the registration form.
Contacts
Advanced Training Unit | E-mail: training@i3s.up.pt
Support
Institutional
The Association of Resources for Biophysical Research in Europe (ARBRE)
COST action CA15126 MOBIEU: Molecular Biophysics in Europe
Sponsors
