Recent advances in high resolution scanning electrochemical microscopy of living cells – A review

This review discusses advances in the field of high resolution scanning electrochemical microscopy (HR-SECM) and scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) to study living cells. Relevant references from the advent of this technique in the late 1980s to most recent contributions in 2012 are presented with special discussion on high resolution images. A clear progress especially within the last 5 years can be seen in the field of HR-SECM. Furthermore, we also concentrate on the intrinsic properties of SECM imaging techniques e.g. different modes of image acquisition, their advantages and disadvantages in imaging living cells and strategies for further enhancement of image resolution, etc. Some of the recent advances of SECM in nanoimaging have also been discussed which may have potential applications in high resolution imaging of cellular processes.

Graphical abstractHigh resolution scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is a rapidly developing tool for studies of living cells. Various methodical approaches of SECM imaging can be used to gain detailed information concerning the morphology and function of single cell and cell assemblies.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We discuss recent advances in high resolution SECM of living cells. ► Advantages and disadvantages of the various imaging techniques are compared. ► New horizons in high resolution SECM studies of cellular processes are discussed.