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Smith JW, Carnevale LN, Das A, Chen Q. Electron videography of a lipid-protein tango. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk0217. [PMID: 38630809 PMCID: PMC11023515 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk0217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Biological phenomena, from enzymatic catalysis to synaptic transmission, originate in the structural transformations of biomolecules and biomolecular assemblies in liquid water. However, directly imaging these nanoscopic dynamics without probes or labels has been a fundamental methodological challenge. Here, we developed an approach for "electron videography"-combining liquid phase electron microscopy with molecular modeling-with which we filmed the nanoscale structural fluctuations of individual, suspended, and unlabeled membrane protein nanodiscs in liquid. Systematic comparisons with biochemical data and simulation indicate the graphene encapsulation involved can afford sufficiently reduced effects of the illuminating electron beam for these observations to yield quantitative fingerprints of nanoscale lipid-protein interactions. Our results suggest that lipid-protein interactions delineate dynamically modified membrane domains across unexpectedly long ranges. Moreover, they contribute to the molecular mechanics of the nanodisc as a whole in a manner specific to the protein within. Overall, this work illustrates an experimental approach to film, quantify, and understand biomolecular dynamics at the nanometer scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W. Smith
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Lauren N. Carnevale
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Aditi Das
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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2
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Korpanty J, Gianneschi NC. Exploration of Organic Nanomaterials with Liquid-Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:2298-2312. [PMID: 37580021 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
ConspectusOrganic, soft materials with solution-phase nanoscale structures, such as emulsions, hydrogels, and thermally responsive materials, are inherently difficult to directly image via dry state and cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Therefore, we lack a routine microscopy method with sufficient resolution that can, in tandem with scattering techniques, probe the morphology and dynamics of these and many related systems. These challenges motivate liquid cell (LC) TEM method development, aimed at making the technique generally available and routine. To date, the field has been and continues to be dominantly focused on analyzing solution-phase inorganic materials. These mostly metallic nanoparticles have been studied at electron fluxes that can allow for high-resolution imaging, in the range of hundreds to thousands of e- Å-2 s-1. Despite excellent contrast, in these cases, one often contends with knock-on damage, direct radiolysis, and sensitization of the solvent by virtue of enhanced secondary electron production by the impinging electron beam. With an interest in soft materials, we face both related and distinct challenges, especially in achieving a high-enough contrast within solvated liquid cells. Additionally, we must be aware of artifacts associated with high-flux imaging conditions in terms of direct radiolysis of the solvent and the sensitive materials themselves. Regardless, with care, it has become possible to gain real insight into both static and dynamic organic nanomaterials in solution. This is due, in large part, to key advances that have been made, including improved sample preparation protocols, image capture technologies, and image analysis, which have allowed LCTEM to have utility. To enable solvated soft matter characterization by LCTEM, a generalizable multimodal workflow was developed by leveraging both experimental and theoretical precedents from across the LCTEM field and adjacent works concerned with solution radiolysis and nanoparticle tracking analyses. This workflow consists of (1) modeling electron beam-solvent interactions, (2) studying electron beam-sample interactions via LCTEM coupled with post-mortem analysis, (3) the construction of "damage plots" displaying sample integrity under varied imaging and sample conditions, (4) optimized LCTEM imaging, (5) image processing, and (6) correlative analysis via X-ray or light scattering. In this Account, we present this outlook and the challenges we continue to overcome in the direct imaging of dynamic solvated nanoscale soft materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Korpanty
- Department of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Simpson Querrey Institute, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Nathan C Gianneschi
- Department of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Simpson Querrey Institute, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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3
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Merkens S, De Salvo G, Kruse J, Modin E, Tollan C, Grzelczak M, Chuvilin A. Quantification of reagent mixing in liquid flow cells for Liquid Phase-TEM. Ultramicroscopy 2023; 245:113654. [PMID: 36470094 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2022.113654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Liquid-Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy (LP-TEM) offers the opportunity to study nanoscale dynamics of phenomena related to materials and life science in a native liquid environment and in real time. Until now, the opportunity to control/induce such dynamics by changing the chemical environment in the liquid flow cell (LFC) has rarely been exploited due to an incomplete understanding of hydrodynamic properties of LP-TEM flow systems. This manuscript introduces a method for hydrodynamic characterization of LP-TEM flow systems based on monitoring transmitted intensity while flowing a strongly electron scattering contrast agent solution. Key characteristic temporal indicators of solution replacement for various channel geometries were experimentally measured. A numerical physical model of solute transport based on realistic flow channel geometries was successfully implemented and validated against experiments. The model confirmed the impact of flow channel geometry on the importance of convective and diffusive solute transport, deduced by experiment, and could further extend understanding of hydrodynamics in LP-TEM flow systems. We emphasize that our approach can be applied to hydrodynamic characterization of any customized LP-TEM flow system. We foresee the implemented predictive model driving the future design of application-specific LP-TEM flow systems and, when combined with existing chemical reaction models, to a flourishing of the planning and interpretation of experimental observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Merkens
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia, San Sebastián 20018, Spain; Department of Physics, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), Donostia, San Sebastián 20018, Spain.
| | - Giuseppe De Salvo
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia, San Sebastián 20018, Spain; Department of Physics, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), Donostia, San Sebastián 20018, Spain
| | - Joscha Kruse
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia, San Sebastián 20018, Spain; Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 4, Donostia, San Sebastián 20018, Spain
| | - Evgenii Modin
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia, San Sebastián 20018, Spain
| | - Christopher Tollan
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia, San Sebastián 20018, Spain
| | - Marek Grzelczak
- Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 4, Donostia, San Sebastián 20018, Spain; Centro de Física de Materiales CSIC-UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, Donostia, San Sebastián 20018, Spain
| | - Andrey Chuvilin
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia, San Sebastián 20018, Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
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4
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Wang H, Xu Z, Mao S, Granick S. Experimental Guidelines to Image Transient Single-Molecule Events Using Graphene Liquid Cell Electron Microscopy. ACS NANO 2022; 16:18526-18537. [PMID: 36256532 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c06766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In quest of the holy grail to "see" how individual molecules interact in liquid environments, single-molecule imaging methods now include liquid-phase electron microscopy, whose resolution can be nanometers in space and several frames per second in time using an ordinary electron microscope that is routinely available to many researchers. However, with the current state of the art, protocols that sound similar to those described in the literature lead to outcomes that can differ. The key challenge is to achieve sample contrast under a safe electron dose within a frame rate adequate to capture the molecular process. Here, we present such examples from different systems─synthetic polymer, lipid assembly, DNA-enzyme─in which we have done this using graphene liquid cells. We describe detailed experimental procedures and share empirical experience for conducting successful experiments, starting from fabrication of a graphene liquid cell, to identification of high-quality liquid pockets from desirable shapes and sizes, to effective searching for target sample pockets under electron microscopy, and to discrimination of sample molecules and molecular processes of interest. These experimental tips can assist others who wish to make use of this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Spectroscopy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry & Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhun Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng Mao
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Steve Granick
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science, Ulsan, Korea, 44919
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea 44919
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5
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Sung J, Bae Y, Park H, Kang S, Choi BK, Kim J, Park J. Liquid-Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy for Reliable In Situ Imaging of Nanomaterials. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2022; 13:167-191. [PMID: 35700529 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-092120-034534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (LPTEM) is a powerful in situ visualization technique for directly characterizing nanomaterials in the liquid state. Despite its successful application in many fields, several challenges remain in achieving more accurate and reliable observations. We present LPTEM in chemical and biological applications, including studies for the morphological transformation and dynamics of nanoparticles, battery systems, catalysis, biomolecules, and organic systems. We describe the possible interactions and effects of the electron beam on specimens during observation and present sample-specific approaches to mitigate and control these electron-beam effects. We provide recent advances in achieving atomic-level resolution for liquid-phase investigation of structures anddynamics. Moreover, we discuss the development of liquid cell platforms and the introduction of machine-learning data processing for quantitative and objective LPTEM analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongbaek Sung
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; , , , , , , .,Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuna Bae
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; , , , , , , .,Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hayoung Park
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; , , , , , , .,Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungsu Kang
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; , , , , , , .,Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Back Kyu Choi
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; , , , , , , .,Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joodeok Kim
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; , , , , , , .,Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungwon Park
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; , , , , , , .,Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Institute of Engineering Research, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Gwanggyo-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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6
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Huber ST, Sarajlic E, Huijink R, Weis F, Evers WH, Jakobi AJ. Nanofluidic chips for cryo-EM structure determination from picoliter sample volumes. eLife 2022; 11:72629. [PMID: 35060902 PMCID: PMC8786315 DOI: 10.7554/elife.72629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryogenic electron microscopy has become an essential tool for structure determination of biological macromolecules. In practice, the difficulty to reliably prepare samples with uniform ice thickness still represents a barrier for routine high-resolution imaging and limits the current throughput of the technique. We show that a nanofluidic sample support with well-defined geometry can be used to prepare cryo-EM specimens with reproducible ice thickness from picoliter sample volumes. The sample solution is contained in electron-transparent nanochannels that provide uniform thickness gradients without further optimisation and eliminate the potentially destructive air-water interface. We demonstrate the possibility to perform high-resolution structure determination with three standard protein specimens. Nanofabricated sample supports bear potential to automate the cryo-EM workflow, and to explore new frontiers for cryo-EM applications such as time-resolved imaging and high-throughput screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan T Huber
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology
| | | | | | - Felix Weis
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
| | - Wiel H Evers
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology
| | - Arjen J Jakobi
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology
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7
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Jonaid GM, Dearnaley WJ, Casasanta MA, Kaylor L, Berry S, Dukes MJ, Spilman MS, Gray JL, Kelly DF. High-Resolution Imaging of Human Viruses in Liquid Droplets. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2103221. [PMID: 34302401 PMCID: PMC8440499 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202103221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-phase electron microscopy (LP-EM) is an exciting new area in the materials imaging field, providing unprecedented views of molecular processes. Time-resolved insights from LP-EM studies are a strong complement to the remarkable results achievable with other high-resolution techniques. Here, the opportunities to expand LP-EM technology beyond 2D temporal assessments and into the 3D regime are described. The results show new structures and dynamic insights of human viruses contained in minute volumes of liquid while acquired in a rapid timeframe. To develop this strategy, adeno-associated virus (AAV) is used as a model system. AAV is a well-known gene therapy vehicle with current applications involving drug delivery and vaccine development for COVID-19. Improving the understanding of the physical properties of biological entities in a liquid state, as maintained in the human body, has broad societal implications for human health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- GM Jonaid
- Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - William J. Dearnaley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Michael A. Casasanta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Liam Kaylor
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Samantha Berry
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | | | | | - Jennifer L. Gray
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Deborah F. Kelly
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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8
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Lee J, Nicholls D, Browning ND, Mehdi BL. Controlling radiolysis chemistry on the nanoscale in liquid cell scanning transmission electron microscopy. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:17766-17773. [PMID: 33729249 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp06369j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
When high-energy electrons from a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) are incident on a liquid, the vast majority of the chemical reactions that are observed are induced by the radiolysis breakdown of the liquid molecules. In the study of liquids, the radiolysis products of pure water are well known, and their rate of formation for a given flux of high-energy electrons has been studied intensively over the last few years for uniform TEM illumination. In this paper, we demonstrate that the temporal and spatial distribution of the electron illumination can significantly affect the final density of radiolysis products in water and even change the type of reaction taking place. We simulate the complex array of possible spatial/temporal distributions of electrons that are accessible experimentally by controlling the size, the scan rate and the hopping distance of the electron probe in STEM mode and then compare the results to the uniformly illuminated TEM mode of imaging. By distributing the electron dose both spatially and temporally in the STEM through a randomised "spot-scan" mode of imaging, the diffusion overlap of the radiolysis products can be reduced, and the resulting reactions can be more readily controlled. This control allows the resolution of the images to be separated from the speed of the induced reaction (which is based on beam current alone) and this facet of the experiment will allow a wide range of chemical reactions to be uniquely tailored and observed in all liquid cell STEM experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhan Lee
- Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering and Department of Physics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GH, UK.
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9
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Azim S, Bultema LA, de Kock MB, Osorio-Blanco ER, Calderón M, Gonschior J, Leimkohl JP, Tellkamp F, Bücker R, Schulz EC, Keskin S, de Jonge N, Kassier GH, Miller RJD. Environmental Liquid Cell Technique for Improved Electron Microscopic Imaging of Soft Matter in Solution. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2021; 27:44-53. [PMID: 33280632 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927620024654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy is a technique for simultaneous imaging of the structure and dynamics of specimens in a liquid environment. The conventional sample geometry consists of a liquid layer tightly sandwiched between two Si3N4 windows with a nominal spacing on the order of 0.5 μm. We describe a variation of the conventional approach, wherein the Si3N4 windows are separated by a 10-μm-thick spacer, thus providing room for gas flow inside the liquid specimen enclosure. Adjusting the pressure and flow speed of humid air inside this environmental liquid cell (ELC) creates a stable liquid layer of controllable thickness on the bottom window, thus facilitating high-resolution observations of low mass-thickness contrast objects at low electron doses. We demonstrate controllable liquid thicknesses in the range 160 ± 34 to 340 ± 71 nm resulting in corresponding edge resolutions of 0.8 ± 0.06 to 1.7 ± 0.8 nm as measured for immersed gold nanoparticles. Liquid layer thickness 40 ± 8 nm allowed imaging of low-contrast polystyrene particles. Hydration effects in the ELC have been studied using poly-N-isopropylacrylamide nanogels with a silica core. Therefore, ELC can be a suitable tool for in situ investigations of liquid specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Azim
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, Geb. 99 (CFEL), 22761Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lindsey A Bultema
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, Geb. 99 (CFEL), 22761Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michiel B de Kock
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, Geb. 99 (CFEL), 22761Hamburg, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Notkestraße 85, 22607Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Marcelo Calderón
- POLYMAT & Applied Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 3, 20018Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013Bilbao, Spain
| | - Josef Gonschior
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, Geb. 99 (CFEL), 22761Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan-Philipp Leimkohl
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, Geb. 99 (CFEL), 22761Hamburg, Germany
| | - Friedjof Tellkamp
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, Geb. 99 (CFEL), 22761Hamburg, Germany
| | - Robert Bücker
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, Geb. 99 (CFEL), 22761Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eike C Schulz
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, Geb. 99 (CFEL), 22761Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sercan Keskin
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Niels de Jonge
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Physics, Saarland University, Campus D2 2, 66123Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Günther H Kassier
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, Geb. 99 (CFEL), 22761Hamburg, Germany
| | - R J Dwayne Miller
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, Geb. 99 (CFEL), 22761Hamburg, Germany
- Departments of Chemistry and Physics, University of Toronto, 80 St. Georg Street, Toronto, ONM5S 3H6, Canada
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10
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Couasnon T, Alloyeau D, Ménez B, Guyot F, Ghigo JM, Gélabert A. In situ monitoring of exopolymer-dependent Mn mineralization on bacterial surfaces. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz3125. [PMID: 32923582 PMCID: PMC7455489 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz3125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial biomineralization is a widespread process that affects cycling of metals in the environment. Functionalized bacterial cell surfaces and exopolymers are thought to initiate mineral formation, however, direct evidences are hampered by technical challenges. Here, we present a breakthrough in the use of liquid-cell scanning transmission electron microscopy to observe mineral growth on bacteria and the exopolymers they secrete. Two Escherichia coli mutants producing distinct exopolymers are investigated. We use the incident electron beam to provoke and observe the precipitation of Mn-bearing minerals. Differences in the morphology and distribution of Mn precipitates on the two strains reflect differences in nucleation site density and accessibility. Direct observation under liquid conditions highlights the critical role of bacterial cell surface charges and exopolymer types in metal mineralization. This has strong environmental implications because biofilms structured by exopolymers are widespread in nature and constitute the main form of microbial life on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaïs Couasnon
- Université de Paris, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS, 75238 Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Damien Alloyeau
- Université de Paris, Laboratoire Matériaux et Phénomènes Quantiques, CNRS, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Bénédicte Ménez
- Université de Paris, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS, 75238 Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - François Guyot
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, Sorbonne Université, IRD, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Jean-Marc Ghigo
- Unité de Génétique des Biofilms, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Gélabert
- Université de Paris, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS, 75238 Paris Cedex 05, France
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11
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Abstract
As a promising tool over the optical resolution limits, liquid electron microscopy is practically utilized to visualize the structural information on wet biological specimens, such as cells, proteins, and nucleic acids. However, the functionality of biomolecules during their observation is still controversial. Here we show the feasibility of live-cell electron microscopy using graphene veils. We demonstrate that the electron dose resistivity of live bacterial cells increases to 100-fold in graphene veils, and thus they maintain their structures and functions after electron microscopy experiments. Our results provide the guidelines and show possibilities for the electron microscopy imaging of live cells and functional biomolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunmo Koo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 355 Science Road, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyun Seong Dae
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 355 Science Road, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Ki Hahn
- Biomedical Convergence Science & Technology, Industrial Technology Advances, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Min Yuk
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 355 Science Road, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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12
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Wu H, Friedrich H, Patterson JP, Sommerdijk NAJM, de Jonge N. Liquid-Phase Electron Microscopy for Soft Matter Science and Biology. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e2001582. [PMID: 32419161 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202001582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Innovations in liquid-phase electron microscopy (LP-EM) have made it possible to perform experiments at the optimized conditions needed to examine soft matter. The main obstacle is conducting experiments in such a way that electron beam radiation can be used to obtain answers for scientific questions without changing the structure and (bio)chemical processes in the sample due to the influence of the radiation. By overcoming these experimental difficulties at least partially, LP-EM has evolved into a new microscopy method with nanometer spatial resolution and sub-second temporal resolution for analysis of soft matter in materials science and biology. Both experimental design and applications of LP-EM for soft matter materials science and biological research are reviewed, and a perspective of possible future directions is given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanglong Wu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Heiner Friedrich
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Joseph P Patterson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Nico A J M Sommerdijk
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands
| | - Niels de Jonge
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
- Department of Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
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13
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Smith JW, Chen Q. Liquid-phase electron microscopy imaging of cellular and biomolecular systems. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:8490-8506. [DOI: 10.1039/d0tb01300e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Liquid-phase electron microscopy, a new method for real-time nanoscopic imaging in liquid, makes it possible to study cells or biomolecules with a singular combination of spatial and temporal resolution. We review the state of the art in biological research in this growing and promising field.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W. Smith
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
- Urbana
- USA
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
- Urbana
- USA
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
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14
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Dearnaley WJ, Schleupner B, Varano AC, Alden NA, Gonzalez F, Casasanta MA, Scharf BE, Dukes MJ, Kelly DF. Liquid-Cell Electron Tomography of Biological Systems. NANO LETTERS 2019; 19:6734-6741. [PMID: 31244227 PMCID: PMC6786937 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b01309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-cell electron microscopy is a rapidly growing field in the imaging domain. While real-time observations are readily available to analyze materials and biological systems, these measurementshave been limited to the two-dimensional (2-D) image plane. Here, we introduce an exciting technical advance to image materials in 3-D while enclosed in liquid. The development of liquid-cell electron tomography permitted us to observe and quantify host-pathogen interactions in solution while contained in the vacuum system of the electron microscope. In doing so, we demonstrate new insights for the rules of engagement involving a unique bacteriophage and its host bacterium. A deeper analysis of the genetic content of the phage pathogens revealed structural features of the infectious units while introducing a new paradigm for host interactions. Overall, we demonstrate a technological opportunity to elevate research efforts for in situ imaging while providing a new level of dimensionality beyond the current state of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J. Dearnaley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia 24016, United States
| | - Beatrice Schleupner
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia 24016, United States
| | - A. Cameron Varano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia 24016, United States
| | - Nick A. Alden
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia 24016, United States
| | - Floricel Gonzalez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Michael A. Casasanta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Birgit E. Scharf
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Madeline J. Dukes
- Applications Science, Protochips Inc., Morrisville, North Carolina 27560, United States
| | - Deborah F. Kelly
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia 24016, United States
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15
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Keskin S, Kunnas P, de Jonge N. Liquid-Phase Electron Microscopy with Controllable Liquid Thickness. NANO LETTERS 2019; 19:4608-4613. [PMID: 31244240 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b01576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-phase electron microscopy (LPEM) is capable of imaging nanostructures and processes in a liquid environment. The spatial resolution achieved with LPEM critically depends on the thickness of the liquid layer surrounding the object of interest. An excessively thick liquid results in broadening of the electron beam and a high background signal that decreases the resolution and contrast of the object in an image. The liquid thickness in a standard liquid cell, consisting of two liquid enclosing membranes separated by spacers, is mainly defined by the deformation of the SiN membrane windows toward the vacuum side, and the effective thickness may differ from the spacer height. Here, we present a method involving a pressure controller setup to balance the pressure difference over the membrane windows, thus manipulating the shape profiles of the used silicon nitride membrane windows. Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) measurements to determine the liquid thickness showed that it is possible to control the thickness precisely during an LPEM experiment by regulating the interior pressure of the liquid cell. We demonstrated atomic resolution on gold nanoparticles and the phase contrast using silica nanoparticles in liquid with controlled thickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sercan Keskin
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials , D-66123 Saarbrücken , Germany
| | - Peter Kunnas
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials , D-66123 Saarbrücken , Germany
| | - Niels de Jonge
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials , D-66123 Saarbrücken , Germany
- Department of Physics , Saarland University , D-66123 Saarbrücken , Germany
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16
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Kim S, Xing L, Islam AE, Hsiao MS, Ngo Y, Pavlyuk OM, Martineau RL, Hampton CM, Crasto C, Slocik J, Kadakia MP, Hagen JA, Kelley-Loughnane N, Naik RR, Drummy LF. In Operando Observation of Neuropeptide Capture and Release on Graphene Field-Effect Transistor Biosensors with Picomolar Sensitivity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:13927-13934. [PMID: 30884221 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b20498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is being pushed to new capabilities which enable studies on systems that were previously out of reach. Among recent innovations, TEM through liquid cells (LC-TEM) enables in operando observation of biological phenomena. This work applies LC-TEM to the study of biological components as they interact on an abiotic surface. Specifically, analytes or target molecules like neuropeptide Y (NPY) are observed in operando on functional graphene field-effect transistor (GFET) biosensors. Biological recognition elements (BREs) identified using biopanning with affinity to NPY are used to functionalize graphene to obtain selectivity. On working devices capable of achieving picomolar responsivity to neuropeptide Y, LC-TEM reveals translational motion, stochastic positional fluctuations due to constrained Brownian motion, and rotational dynamics of captured analyte. Coupling these observations with the electrical responses of the GFET biosensors in response to analyte capture and/or release will potentially enable new insights leading to more advanced and capable biosensor designs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Li Xing
- Biological and Nanoscale Technologies Division , UES Inc. , Dayton , Ohio 45432 , United States
| | - Ahmad E Islam
- Biological and Nanoscale Technologies Division , UES Inc. , Dayton , Ohio 45432 , United States
| | - Ming-Siao Hsiao
- Biological and Nanoscale Technologies Division , UES Inc. , Dayton , Ohio 45432 , United States
| | - Yen Ngo
- Biological and Nanoscale Technologies Division , UES Inc. , Dayton , Ohio 45432 , United States
| | - Oksana M Pavlyuk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Wright State University , Dayton , Ohio 45431 , United States
| | - Rhett L Martineau
- Biological and Nanoscale Technologies Division , UES Inc. , Dayton , Ohio 45432 , United States
| | - Cheri M Hampton
- Biological and Nanoscale Technologies Division , UES Inc. , Dayton , Ohio 45432 , United States
| | - Cameron Crasto
- Biological and Nanoscale Technologies Division , UES Inc. , Dayton , Ohio 45432 , United States
| | - Joseph Slocik
- Biological and Nanoscale Technologies Division , UES Inc. , Dayton , Ohio 45432 , United States
| | - Madhavi P Kadakia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Wright State University , Dayton , Ohio 45431 , United States
| | - Joshua A Hagen
- Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, School of Medicine , West Virginia University , Morgantown , West Virginia 26506 , United States
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17
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He K, Shokuhfar T, Shahbazian-Yassar R. Imaging of soft materials using in situ liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2019; 31:103001. [PMID: 30524096 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/aaf616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes the breakthroughs in the field of soft material characterization by in situ liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The focus of this review is mostly on soft biological species such as cells, bacteria, viruses, proteins and polymers. The comparison between the two main liquid-cell systems (silicon nitride membranes liquid cell and graphene liquid cell) is also discussed in terms of their spatial resolution and imaging/analytical capabilities. We have showcased how liquid-cell TEM can reveal the structural details of whole cells, enable the chemical probing of proteins, detect the structural conformation of viruses, and monitor the dynamics of polymerization. In addition, the challenges faced by decoupling electron beam effect on beam-sensitive soft materials are discussed. At the end, future perspectives of in situ liquid-cell TEM studies of soft materials are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun He
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, United States of America
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18
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Piffoux M, Ahmad N, Nelayah J, Wilhelm C, Silva A, Gazeau F, Alloyeau D. Monitoring the dynamics of cell-derived extracellular vesicles at the nanoscale by liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:1234-1244. [PMID: 29292437 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr07576f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) circulating in body fluids hold promises as bioactive therapeutic agents and as biomarkers to diagnose a wide range of diseases. However nano-imaging methods are needed to characterize these complex and heterogeneous soft materials in their native wet environment. Herein, we exploit liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy (LCTEM) to characterize the morphology and dynamic behavior of EVs in physiological media with nanometer resolution. The beam-induced controlled growth of Au nanoparticles on bilayer membranes is used as an original in situ staining method to improve the contrast of EVs and artificial liposomes. LCTEM provides information about the size distribution and concentration of EVs that are consistent with Cryo-TEM and nanoparticle tracking analysis measurements. Moreover, LCTEM gives a unique insight into the dynamics of EVs depending on their liquid environment. The size-dependent morphology of EVs is sensitive to osmotic stress which tends to transform their spherical shape to ellipsoidal, stomatocyte or discocyte morphologies. In the liquid-cell, EVs exhibit a sub-diffusive motion due to strong interactions between the Au nanoparticles and the liquid-cell windows. Finally, the high-resolution monitoring of EV aggregation and fusion illustrate that LCTEM opens up a new way to study cell-membrane dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Piffoux
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, UMR7057 CNRS/Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
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19
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Nagamanasa KH, Wang H, Granick S. Liquid-Cell Electron Microscopy of Adsorbed Polymers. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2017; 29:1703555. [PMID: 28921693 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201703555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Revised: 08/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Individual macromolecules of polystyrene sulfonate and poly(ethylene oxide) are visualized with nanometer resolution using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging of aqueous solutions with and without added salt, trapped in liquid pockets between creased graphene sheets. Successful imaging with 0.3 s per frame is enabled by the sluggish mobility of the adsorbed molecules. This study finds, validating others, that an advantage of this graphene liquid-cell approach is apparently to retard sample degradation from incident electrons, in addition to minimizing background scattering because graphene windows are atomically thin. Its new application here to polymers devoid of metal-ion labeling allows the projected sizes and conformational fluctuations of adsorbed molecules and adsorption-desorption events to be analyzed. Confirming the identification of the observed objects, this study reports statistical analysis of datasets of hundreds of images for times up to 100 s, with variation of the chemical makeup of the polymer, the molecular weight of the polymer, and the salt concentration. This observation of discrete polymer molecules in solution environment may be useful generally, as the findings are obtained using an ordinary TEM microscope, whose kind is available to many researchers routinely.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Huan Wang
- IBS Center for Soft and Living Matter, UNIST, Ulsan, 689-798, South Korea
| | - Steve Granick
- IBS Center for Soft and Living Matter, UNIST, Ulsan, 689-798, South Korea
- Departments of Chemistry and Physics, UNIST, Ulsan, 689-798, South Korea
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20
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DiMemmo LM, Cameron Varano A, Haulenbeek J, Liang Y, Patel K, Dukes MJ, Zheng S, Hubert M, Piccoli SP, Kelly DF. Real-time observation of protein aggregates in pharmaceutical formulations using liquid cell electron microscopy. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:315-322. [PMID: 27934977 PMCID: PMC5507349 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc01160h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the properties of protein-based therapeutics is a common goal of biologists and physicians. Technical barriers in the direct observation of small proteins or therapeutic agents can limit our knowledge of how they function in solution and in the body. Electron microscopy (EM) imaging performed in a liquid environment permits us to peer into the active world of cells and molecules at the nanoscale. Here, we employ liquid cell EM to directly visualize a protein-based therapeutic in its native conformation and aggregate state in a time-resolved manner. In combination with quantitative analyses, information from this work contributes new molecular insights toward understanding the behaviours of immunotherapies in a solution state that mimics the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn M DiMemmo
- Analytical and Bioanalytical Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - A Cameron Varano
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA.
| | - Jonathan Haulenbeek
- Analytical and Bioanalytical Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Yanping Liang
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA.
| | - Kaya Patel
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA.
| | | | - Songyan Zheng
- Drug Product Science and Technology, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Mario Hubert
- Analytical and Bioanalytical Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Steven P Piccoli
- Analytical and Bioanalytical Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Deborah F Kelly
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA.
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21
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Leonard DN, Hellmann R. Exploring dynamic surface processes during silicate mineral (wollastonite) dissolution with liquid cell TEM. J Microsc 2016; 265:358-371. [PMID: 27918627 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.12509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Most liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (LC TEM) studies focus on nanoparticles or nanowires, in large part because the preparation and study of materials in this size range is straightforward. By contrast, this is not true for samples in the micrometre size range, in large part because of the difficulties associated with sample preparation starting from a 'bulk' material. There are also many advantages inherent to the study of micrometre-sized samples compared to their nanometre-sized counterparts. Here, we present a liquid cell transmission electron study that employed an innovative sample preparation technique using focused ion beam (FIB) milling to fabricate micrometre-sized electron transparent lamellae that were then welded to the liquid cell substrate. This technique, for which we have described in detail all of the fabrication steps, allows for samples having dimensions of several square micrometres to be observed by TEM in situ in a liquid. We applied this technique to test whether we could observe and measure in situ dissolution of a crystalline material called wollastonite, a calcium silicate mineral. More specifically, this study was used to observe and record surface dynamics associated with step and terrace edge movement, which are ultimately linked to the overall rate of dissolution. The wollastonite lamella underwent chemical reactions in pure deionized water at ambient temperature in a liquid cell with a 5-μm-spacer thickness. The movement of surface steps and terraces was measured periodically over a period of almost 5 h. Quite unexpectedly, the one-dimensional rates of retreat of these surface features were not constant, but changed over time. In addition, there were noticeable quantitative differences in retreat rates as a function crystallographic orientation, indicating that surface retreat is anisotropic. Several bulk rates of dissolution were also determined (1.6-4.2 • 10-7 mol m-2 s-1 ) using the rates of retreat of representative terraces and steps, and were found to be within one order of magnitude of dissolution rates in the literature based on aqueous chemistry data.
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Affiliation(s)
- D N Leonard
- Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A
| | - R Hellmann
- ISTerre (Institute for Earth Sciences), Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,ISTerre, CNRS-UMR, 5275, Grenoble, France
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22
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Abstract
Transmission electron microscopy offers structural and compositional information with atomic resolution, but its use is restricted to thin, solid samples. Liquid samples, particularly those involving water, have been challenging because of the need to form a thin liquid layer that is stable within the microscope vacuum. Liquid cell electron microscopy is a developing technique that allows us to apply the powerful capabilities of the electron microscope to imaging and analysis of liquid specimens. We describe its impact in materials science and biology. We discuss how its applications have expanded via improvements in equipment and experimental techniques, enabling new capabilities and stimuli for samples in liquids, and offering the potential to solve grand challenge problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances M Ross
- IBM T. J. Watson Research Center, 1101 Kitchawan Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, USA.
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