Search results for "electron tomography"

Algorithms and software for biological multiscale image analysis

2013

In situ structural analysis of SARS-CoV-2 spike reveals flexibility mediated by three hinges

2020

AbstractThe spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is required for cell entry and is the major focus for vaccine development. We combine cryo electron tomography, subtomogram averaging and molecular dynamics simulations to structurally analyze Sin situ. Compared to recombinant S, the viral S is more heavily glycosylated and occurs predominantly in a closed pre-fusion conformation. We show that the stalk domain of S contains three hinges that give the globular domain unexpected orientational freedom. We propose that the hinges allow S to scan the host cell surface, shielded from antibodies by an extensive glycan coat. The structure of native S contr…

3D superconducting hollow nanowires with tailored diameters grown by focused He+ beam direct writing

2020

Currently, the patterning of innovative three-dimensional (3D) nano-objects is required for the development of future advanced electronic components. Helium ion microscopy in combination with a precursor gas can be used for direct writing of three-dimensional nanostructures with a precise control of their geometry, and a significantly higher aspect ratio than other additive manufacturing technologies. We report here on the deposition of 3D hollow tungsten carbide nanowires with tailored diameters by tuning two key growth parameters, namely current and dose of the ion beam. Our results show the control of geometry in 3D hollow nanowires, with outer and inner diameters ranging from 36 to 142 …

A new insight into the three-dimensional architecture of the Golgi complex: Characterization of unusual structures in epididymal principal cells.

2017

Principal epididymal cells have one of the largest and more developed Golgi complex of mammalian cells. In the present study, we have used this cell as model for the study of the three-dimensional architecture of the Golgi complex of highly secretory and endocytic cells. Electron tomography demonstrated the presence in this cell type of some unknown or very unusual Golgi structures such as branched cisternae, pocket-like cisternal invaginations or tubular connections. In addition, we have used this methodology and immunoelectron microscopy to analyze the close relationship between this organelle and both the endoplasmic reticulum and microtubules, and to describe in detail how these element…

Nanophase Segregation of Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold Nanoparticles

2017

International audience; Nanophase segregation of a bi-component thiol self-assembled monolayer is predicted using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations and experimentally confirmed. The simulations suggest the formation of domains rich in acid-terminated chains, on one hand, and of domains rich in amide-functionalized ethylene glycol oligomers, on the other hand. In particular, within the amide-ethylene glycol oligomers region, a key role is played by the formation of inter-chain hydrogen bonds. The predicted phase segregation is experimentally confirmed by the synthesis of 35 and 15 nm gold nanoparticles functionalized with several binary mixtures of ligands. An extensive study by trans…

Compensation of missing wedge effects with sequential statistical reconstruction in electron tomography.

2014

Electron tomography (ET) of biological samples is used to study the organization and the structure of the whole cell and subcellular complexes in great detail. However, projections cannot be acquired over full tilt angle range with biological samples in electron microscopy. ET image reconstruction can be considered an ill-posed problem because of this missing information. This results in artifacts, seen as the loss of three-dimensional (3D) resolution in the reconstructed images. The goal of this study was to achieve isotropic resolution with a statistical reconstruction method, sequential maximum a posteriori expectation maximization (sMAP-EM), using no prior morphological knowledge about …

A Scanning Electron Microscope for Ultracold Atoms

2006

We propose a new technique for the detection of single atoms in ultracold quantum gases. The technique is based on scanning electron microscopy and employs the electron impact ionization of trapped atoms with a focussed electron probe. Subsequent detection of the resulting ions allows for the reconstruction of the atoms position. This technique is expected to achieve a much better spatial resolution compared to any optical detection method. In combination with the sensitivity to single atoms, it makes new in situ measurements of atomic correlations possible. The detection principle is also well suited for the addressing of individual sites in optical lattices.

Structure solution with automated electron diffraction tomography data: different instrumental approaches

2011

Summary Over the past few years automated electron diffraction tomography has become an established technique for structure solution of nano-crystalline material. The intentional choice of an arbitrary tilt axis and thus, the use of nonoriented diffraction patterns (off-zone acquisition) together with fine equidistant sampling of the reciprocal space result in high quality intensity data sets. Coupling automated electron diffraction tomography with electron beam precession (Vincent & Midgley, 1994) enables sampling of intensities between the static slices of reciprocal space and therefore enhances the quality of intensity data further; relatively complex structures have been solved using 3D…

Engineering 3D ordered molecular thin films by a nanoscale control

2010

This perspective aims to report on experimental preparation and investigation tools for engineering molecular thin films with a three-dimensional (3D) nanoscale control that is of relevant interest for different emerging applications as well as for the development of calibration standards. Such thin films may be obtained by man-made methods, self-assembly or spatio-temporal self-organization and/or by the combination of these last approaches with external tools. Understanding the main features and the physical-chemistry underlying the related ordering phenomena is in due course and a theoretical framework is under development. In this respect it is of fundamental importance to achieve the a…

Comparison of the decameric structure of peroxiredoxin-II by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography

2001

Abstract The decameric human erythrocyte protein torin is identical to the thiol-specific antioxidant protein-II (TSA-II), also termed peroxiredoxin-II (Prx-II). Single particle analysis from electron micrographs of Prx-II molecules homogeneously orientated across holes in the presence of a thin film of ammonium molybdate and trehalose has facilitated the production of a ≥20 A 3-D reconstruction by angular reconstitution that emphasises the D5 symmetry of the ring-like decamer. The X-ray structure for Prx-II was fitted into the transmission electron microscopic reconstruction by molecular replacement. The surface-rendered transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reconstruction correlates well…