Imaging fully hydrated whole cells by coherent x-ray diffraction microscopy

Phys Rev Lett. 2013 Mar 1;110(9):098103. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.098103. Epub 2013 Feb 28.

Abstract

Nanoscale imaging of biological specimens in their native condition is of long-standing interest, in particular with direct, high resolution views of internal structures of intact specimens, though as yet progress has been limited. Here we introduce wet coherent x-ray diffraction microscopy capable of imaging fully hydrated and unstained biological specimens. Whole cell morphologies and internal structures better than 25 nm can be clearly visualized without contrast degradation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cyanobacteria / cytology
  • Cyanobacteria / metabolism
  • Microcystis / cytology
  • Microcystis / metabolism
  • Microscopy / instrumentation
  • Microscopy / methods*
  • Water / chemistry
  • Water / metabolism
  • X-Ray Diffraction / instrumentation
  • X-Ray Diffraction / methods*

Substances

  • Water