To demonstrate this, researchers used PeakForce QNM to conduct molecular recognition mapping of the surface of malaria-infected erythrocytes or IE’s in order to obtain high-resolution images of the distribution of specific molecules expressed on the cell surface. Due to the resolution limitations in AFM imaging of cells, the presence of these molecules would be quite difficult to detect with traditional topography imaging alone. Unlike healthy cells, Malaria-Infected erythrocytes exhibit knob-like surface structures. Infected cells also show cytoadherence which is a tendency to stick to the walls of blood vessels. Not only does this prevent them from being removed from the bloodstream by the spleen, buildup of these cells in the blood vessels can cause other dangerous health issues such as vascular blockages. Molecules associated with the knob-like structures on the surface of the infected cells are believed to be involved in helping them to adhere to the endothelial cells on blood vessels walls by interacting with endothelium surface receptors.