Soft X-ray diffraction microscopy of a frozen hydrated yeast cell.
We report the first image of an intact, frozen hydrated eukaryotic cell using x-ray diffraction microscopy, or coherent x-ray diffraction imaging. By plunge freezing the specimen in liquid ethane and maintaining it below -170 degrees C, artifacts due to dehydration, ice crystallization, and radiation damage are greatly reduced. In this example, coherent diffraction data using 520 eV x rays were recorded and reconstructed to reveal a budding yeast cell at a resolution better than 25 nm. This demonstration represents an important step towards high resolution imaging of cells in their natural, hydrated state, without limitations imposed by x-ray optics.
Huang
Xiaojing
X
Department of Physics & Astronomy, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3800, USA.
Nelson
Johanna
J
Kirz
Janos
J
Lima
Enju
E
Marchesini
Stefano
S
Miao
Huijie
H
Neiman
Aaron M
AM
Shapiro
David
D
Steinbrener
Jan
J
Stewart
Andrew
A
Turner
Joshua J
JJ
Jacobsen
Chris
C
D005615:Freezing; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000166:cytology*; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction / Q000379:methods*
D014867:Water