title: Three-dimensional, non-invasive, cross-sectional imaging of protein crystals using ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography.
abstract: Micro-scale, non-invasive, three-dimensional cross-sectional imaging of protein crystals was successfully accomplished using ultra-high resolution optical coherence tomography (UHR-OCT) with low noise, Gaussian like supercontinuum. This technique facilitated visualization of protein crystals even those in medium that also contained substantial amounts of precipitates. We found the enhancement of the scattered signal from protein crystal by inclusion of agarose gel in the crystallization medium. Crystals of a protein and a salt in the same sample when visualized by UHR-OCT showed distinct physical characteristics, suggesting that protein and salt crystals may, in general, be distinguishable by UHR-OCT. UHR-OCT is a nondestructive and rapid method, which should therefore find use in automated systems designed to visualize crystals.
authors.forename: Norihiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nishizawa
authors.forename: Shutaro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishida
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hirose
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sugiyama
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Kazuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Itoh
authors.forename: Hiroyoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsumura