As an example, Varga et al. used AFM to examine the mechanical response of differentiated myotubes through the ALS-causing SOD1 G93A mutation, in terms of morphology and cell elasticity, detecting structural changes such as increased elasticity, which preceded symptoms and could be used as biomarker (Varga et al. 2018). The gene discussed is SOD1; the disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.