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Here, researchers developed a single-domain antibody, DesAb-O, designed to specifically recognize and neutralize toxic oligomers of amyloid-β—small protein clusters linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), researchers visualized the size and shape of these oligomers at the nanoscale and confirmed that DesAb-O binds selectively to the toxic forms, not to harmless monomers or fibrils. AFM images were essential for validating this binding specificity. Combined with super-resolution microscopy and cellular assays, the results showed that DesAb-O can detect and reduce the toxicity of amyloid-β oligomers, making it a promising tool for early diagnosis and potential therapy in neurodegenerative diseases.