Atomic force microscopy: The creator of a new paradigm from nanoscale topography imaging to mechanobiology and medicine

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has transcended its role as a mere provider of high-resolution imaging in medical research, catalysing a paradigm shift from 'morphological observation' to 'quantitative mechanics' and 'single molecule manipulation'. AFM enables us to directly decipher the 'mechanical language' of living systems, acquiring information on sample topography, mechanical properties, and molecular interactions under near physiological conditions with nanoscale resolution. This review systematically elaborates on how AFM, by providing quantitative, functional, and dynamic nanoscale data, is reshaping the understanding of disease mechanisms. It is also fostering novel precision medicine strategies guided by 'mechanobiology' in areas such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and pathogen recognition. AFM not only expands the dimensions of medical research but also provides unprecedented tools and perspectives for disease diagnosis, drug development, and cellular intervention.