Welcome to the Heath AFM Lab site

We specialize in applying and developing high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) to study the dynamics of proteins, lipids, and other biomolecules.


We are based at the University of Leeds in the Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group and the School of Physics and Astronomy.

Lab News

19.11.2024 - Tabby Speaks at International Conference in Japan

ICSPM conference

PhD student Tabitha Storer presented her brilliant work to improve AFM resolution at the ICSPM32 conference in Sapporo in Japan 🇯🇵 this week.

11.11.2024 - New Member of the Lab

Eddie Rollins George Heath

Delighted to welcome Daniel Eddie Rollins to the group as a new postdoc! Eddie brings a wealth of expertise in bioAFM and will be applying his skills to develop high-speed AFM methods to better understand protein dynamics and interactions.

05.05.2024 NanoLocz Software Update - Version 1.20

Download the latest version here! We've enhanced speed, usability, and data access:

List of updates
  • Processing speed - Improved app start-up speed and speed increases for Particle Detection, LAFM, and Particle Assembly steps.
  • AutoSaving - Choose output folder and preferred file format first.
  • Improved Saving - Including batch export.
  • Batch levelling - Set levelling options (auto or manual) in preview mode and then run batch save.
  • HDF5 (.h5) export/input - A more accessible file format (can be opened with Python).
  • Set Preferences - NanoLocz remembers preferred Output/Input folders and other settings.
  • Jpk file opener - Error fixed.
  • asd file opener - Reading of 'Only Trace Imaging' files enabled.
  • Line Profile snap to angle - Hold 'shift' when drawing line profiles to snap to the nearest 45 degrees.
  • New pre-set auto levelling options
  • Recalculate correlation button - Recalculates the correlation between particles and the selected reference image, useful for excluding poorly matching particles after Fine Align (Fine align tab).

RMS AFM & SPM conference in Durham

RMS AFM & SPM conference in Durham

A great finish to a fantastic week of AFM/SPM at the RMS AFM & SPM conference in Durham with the last talk given by PhD student Maya Tekchandani.

New Member of the Lab

Dr Varun Gupta

Thrilled to welcome Dr Varun Gupta to our research team as our newest and 1st Postdoc! Together with his AFM expertise we will push AFM methods in exciting new directions.