This paper describes the current situation of applications of AFM in cell biology, including cell localization, cell imaging, force detection and cell manipulation.The prospect of AFM is discussed.

• 本文介绍原子力显微镜在细胞生物学中应用的现状，包括细胞固定，细胞成像，力检测及细胞操纵，并对原子力显微镜技术的发展进行展望。