Imaging method and use thereof

A method for determining and quantifying the topographical elements of biological surfaces using data received by atomic force microscopy, comprising the steps of:

• a. Preparing in vitro a single cell, cellular monolayer, or tissue section;
• b. Predefining, using a processor, a mask in an xy-plane on a subdivided part of a cellular surface comprising subcellular structures of the single cell, cellular monolayer, or tissue section;
• c. Determining, using a processor, the local deviational volume (LDV) of the subdivided part in the predefined mask in the xy-plane by:
• (i) determining nanoscale excursions in a z-direction over the predefined mask in the xy-plane of a subcellular surface;
• ii evaluatng a local protruding (positive) and depressed (negative) volume as compared to a mean surface level of the predefined mask:
• and (iii) normalizing the positive and negative volume within the predefined mask;
• and
• d. Assembling, using a processor, predefined masks, wherein each mask has a determined LDV, for subdivided tarts of a cellular surface, into a combined lager area. wherein the masks overlap, and determining an image showing deviational volumes.