title: Visualizing viral assemblies in a nanoscale biosphere.
abstract: We present a novel microfluidic platform to examine biological assemblies at high-resolution. We have engineered a functionalized chamber that serves as a "nanoscale biosphere" to capture and maintain rotavirus double-layered particles (DLPs) in a liquid environment. The chamber can be inserted into the column of a transmission electron microscope while being completely isolated from the vacuum system. This configuration allowed us to determine the structure of biological complexes at nanometer-resolution within a self-contained vessel. Images of DLPs were used to calculate the first 3D view of macromolecules in solution. We refer to this new fluidic visualization technology as in situ molecular microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia 24016, USA.
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Gilmore
authors.forename: Shannon P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Showalter
authors.forename: Madeline J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dukes
authors.forename: Justin R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Tanner
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Demmert
authors.forename: Sarah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Deborah F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000502:physiology*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D019065:Virus Assembly / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D014764:Viral Proteins