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Vénien-Bryan C, Fernandes CAH. Overview of Membrane Protein Sample Preparation for Single-Particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14785. [PMID: 37834233 PMCID: PMC10573263 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM SPA) has recently emerged as an exceptionally well-suited technique for determining the structure of membrane proteins (MPs). Indeed, in recent years, huge increase in the number of MPs solved via cryo-EM SPA at a resolution better than 3.0 Å in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) has been observed. However, sample preparation remains a significant challenge in the field. Here, we evaluated the MPs solved using cryo-EM SPA deposited in the PDB in the last two years at a resolution below 3.0 Å. The most critical parameters for sample preparation are as follows: (i) the surfactant used for protein extraction from the membrane, (ii) the surfactant, amphiphiles, nanodiscs or other molecules present in the vitrification step, (iii) the vitrification method employed, and (iv) the type of grids used. The aim is not to provide a definitive answer on the optimal sample conditions for cryo-EM SPA of MPs but rather assess the current trends in the MP structural biology community towards obtaining high-resolution cryo-EM structures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carlos A. H. Fernandes
- Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 7590, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Institut de Minéralogie, Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie (IMPMC), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France;
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Zahertar S, Torun H, Sun C, Markwell C, Dong Y, Yang X, Fu Y. Flexible Platform of Acoustofluidics and Metamaterials with Decoupled Resonant Frequencies. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:4344. [PMID: 35746129 PMCID: PMC9228408 DOI: 10.3390/s22124344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The key challenge for a lab-on-chip (LOC) device is the seamless integration of key elements of biosensing and actuation (e.g., biosampling or microfluidics), which are conventionally realised using different technologies. In this paper, we report a convenient and efficient LOC platform fabricated using an electrode patterned flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) pressed onto a piezoelectric film coated substrate, which can implement multiple functions of both acoustofluidics using surface acoustic waves (SAWs) and sensing functions using electromagnetic metamaterials, based on the same electrode on the FPCB. We explored the actuation capability of the integrated structure by pumping a sessile droplet using SAWs in the radio frequency range. We then investigated the hybrid sensing capability (including both physical and chemical ones) of the structure employing the concept of electromagnetic split-ring resonators (SRRs) in the microwave frequency range. The originality of this sensing work is based on the premise that the proposed structure contains three completely decoupled resonant frequencies for sensing applications and each resonance has been used as a separate physical or a chemical sensor. This feature compliments the acoustofluidic capability and is well-aligned with the goals set for a successful LOC device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahrzad Zahertar
- Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; (S.Z.); (C.M.)
- Zepler Institute, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Hamdi Torun
- Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; (S.Z.); (C.M.)
| | - Chao Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China;
| | - Christopher Markwell
- Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; (S.Z.); (C.M.)
| | - Yinhua Dong
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin 4th Centre Hospital Affiliated to Nankai University, Tianjin 300140, China;
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 3AA, UK;
| | - Yongqing Fu
- Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; (S.Z.); (C.M.)
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Interfacing microfluidics with information-rich detection systems for cells, bioparticles, and molecules. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:4575-4589. [PMID: 35389095 PMCID: PMC8987515 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04043-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The development of elegant and numerous microfluidic manipulations has enabled significant advances in the processing of small volume samples and the detection of minute amounts of biomaterials. Effective isolation of single cells in a defined volume as well as manipulations of complex bioparticle or biomolecule mixtures allows for the utilization of information-rich detection methods including mass spectrometry, electron microscopy imaging, and amplification/sequencing. The art and science of translating biosamples from microfluidic platforms to highly advanced, information-rich detection system is the focus of this review, where we term the translation between the microfluidics elements to the external world “off-chipping.” When presented with the challenge of presenting sub-nanoliter volumes of manipulated sample to a detection scheme, several delivery techniques have been developed for effective analysis. These techniques include spraying (electrospray, nano-electrospray, pneumatic), meniscus-defined volumes (droplets, plugs), constrained volumes (narrow channels, containers), and phase changes (deposition, freezing). Each technique has been proven effective in delivering highly defined samples from microfluidic systems to the detection elements. This review organizes and presents selective publications that illustrate the advancements of these delivery techniques with respect to the type of sample analyzed, while introducing each strategy and providing historical perspective. The publications highlighted in this review were chosen due to their significance and relevance in the development of their respective off-chip technique.
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Weissenberger G, Henderikx RJM, Peters PJ. Understanding the invisible hands of sample preparation for cryo-EM. Nat Methods 2021; 18:463-471. [PMID: 33963356 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-021-01130-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is rapidly becoming an attractive method in the field of structural biology. With the exploding popularity of cryo-EM, sample preparation must evolve to prevent congestion in the workflow. The dire need for improved microscopy samples has led to a diversification of methods. This Review aims to categorize and explain the principles behind various techniques in the preparation of vitrified samples for the electron microscope. Various aspects and challenges in the workflow are discussed, from sample optimization and carriers to deposition and vitrification. Reliable and versatile specimen preparation remains a challenge, and we hope to give guidelines and posit future directions for improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Weissenberger
- CryoSol-World, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging Institute (M4i), Division of Nanoscopy, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Rene J M Henderikx
- CryoSol-World, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging Institute (M4i), Division of Nanoscopy, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Peter J Peters
- Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging Institute (M4i), Division of Nanoscopy, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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Jin S, Wei X, Ren J, Jiang Z, Abell C, Yu Z. Construction of core-shell microcapsules via focused surface acoustic wave microfluidics. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:3104-3108. [PMID: 32766643 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00123f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The ability to construct core-shell microcapsules has the potential to shift the paradigm in the development of new delivery systems for nutrients, cosmetics, and drugs. In this work, we demonstrate an application of focused surface acoustic wave (FSAW) microfluidics to produce microcapsules with a core-shell structure using one or two focused interdigital transducers (FIDTs) on the microfluidic device. Solid particles or liquid microdroplets without any special modification in multiphase laminar flow are driven by the acoustic radiation force arising from the FSAW, and cross the oil/water interface back and forth, which is not only suitable for generation of core-shell microcapsules with solid cores but also used for coating an aqueous microdroplet core with an oil shell. On this basis, more FIDTs can be added to the device to manufacture more layers of microcapsules if needed. Single-layer, two-layer, or even multi-layer microcapsules can be selectively fabricated. This work provides a promising and robust platform to construct core-shell microcapsules via FSAW microfluidics, which are suitable for a wide range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaobo Jin
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China.
| | - Xueyong Wei
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China.
| | - Juan Ren
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China.
| | - Zhuangde Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China.
| | - Chris Abell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Ziyi Yu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK and State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, P. R. China.
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Zhang Y, Sesen M, de Marco A, Neild A. Capacitive Sensing for Monitoring of Microfluidic Protocols Using Nanoliter Dispensing and Acoustic Mixing. Anal Chem 2020; 92:10725-10732. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c01906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yaqi Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Muhsincan Sesen
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, United Kingdom
| | - Alex de Marco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Advanced Molecular Imaging, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adrian Neild
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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