1
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Smith JW, Carnevale LN, Das A, Chen Q. Electron videography of a lipid-protein tango. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk0217. [PMID: 38630809 PMCID: PMC11023515 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk0217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Biological phenomena, from enzymatic catalysis to synaptic transmission, originate in the structural transformations of biomolecules and biomolecular assemblies in liquid water. However, directly imaging these nanoscopic dynamics without probes or labels has been a fundamental methodological challenge. Here, we developed an approach for "electron videography"-combining liquid phase electron microscopy with molecular modeling-with which we filmed the nanoscale structural fluctuations of individual, suspended, and unlabeled membrane protein nanodiscs in liquid. Systematic comparisons with biochemical data and simulation indicate the graphene encapsulation involved can afford sufficiently reduced effects of the illuminating electron beam for these observations to yield quantitative fingerprints of nanoscale lipid-protein interactions. Our results suggest that lipid-protein interactions delineate dynamically modified membrane domains across unexpectedly long ranges. Moreover, they contribute to the molecular mechanics of the nanodisc as a whole in a manner specific to the protein within. Overall, this work illustrates an experimental approach to film, quantify, and understand biomolecular dynamics at the nanometer scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W. Smith
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Lauren N. Carnevale
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Aditi Das
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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2
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Sülzle J, Yang W, Shimoda Y, Ronceray N, Mayner E, Manley S, Radenovic A. Label-Free Imaging of DNA Interactions with 2D Materials. ACS PHOTONICS 2024; 11:737-744. [PMID: 38405387 PMCID: PMC10885193 DOI: 10.1021/acsphotonics.3c01604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) materials offer potential as substrates for biosensing devices, as their properties can be engineered to tune interactions between the surface and biomolecules. Yet, not many methods can measure these interactions in a liquid environment without introducing labeling agents such as fluorophores. In this work, we harness interferometric scattering (iSCAT) microscopy, a label-free imaging technique, to investigate the interactions of single molecules of long dsDNA with 2D materials. The millisecond temporal resolution of iSCAT allows us to capture the transient interactions and to observe the dynamics of unlabeled DNA binding to a hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) surface in solution for extended periods (including a fraction of 10%, of trajectories lasting longer than 110 ms). Using a focused ion beam technique to engineer defects, we find that DNA binding affinity is enhanced at defects; when exposed to long lanes, DNA binds preferentially at the lane edges. Overall, we demonstrate that iSCAT imaging is a useful tool to study how biomolecules interact with 2D materials, a key component in engineering future biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Sülzle
- Institute
of Physics and Institute of Bioengineering, Laboratory of Experimental
Biophysics (LEB), École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Wayne Yang
- Institute
of Bioengineering, Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology (LBEN), École Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Yuta Shimoda
- Institute
of Bioengineering, Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology (LBEN), École Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Nathan Ronceray
- Institute
of Bioengineering, Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology (LBEN), École Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Eveline Mayner
- Institute
of Bioengineering, Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology (LBEN), École Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Suliana Manley
- Institute
of Physics and Institute of Bioengineering, Laboratory of Experimental
Biophysics (LEB), École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Aleksandra Radenovic
- Institute
of Bioengineering, Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology (LBEN), École Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
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3
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Sun Y, Zhang X, Huang R, Yang D, Kim J, Chen J, Ang EH, Li M, Li L, Song X. Revealing microscopic dynamics: in situ liquid-phase TEM for live observations of soft materials and quantitative analysis via deep learning. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:2945-2954. [PMID: 38236129 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr04480g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
In various domains spanning materials synthesis, chemical catalysis, life sciences, and energy materials, in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods exert a profound influence. These methodologies enable the real-time observation and manipulation of gas-phase and liquid-phase reactions at the nanoscale, facilitating the exploration of pivotal reaction mechanisms. Fundamental research areas like crystal nucleation, growth, etching, and self-assembly have greatly benefited from these techniques. Additionally, their applications extend across diverse fields such as catalysis, batteries, bioimaging, and drug delivery kinetics. However, the intricate nature of 'soft matter' presents a challenge due to the unique molecular properties and dynamic behavior of these substances that remain insufficiently understood. Investigating soft matter within in situ liquid-phase TEM settings demands further exploration and advancement compared to other research domains. This research harnesses the potential of in situ liquid-phase TEM technology while integrating deep learning methodologies to comprehensively analyze the quantitative aspects of soft matter dynamics. This study centers on diverse phenomena, encompassing surfactant molecule nucleation, block copolymer behavior, confinement-driven self-assembly, and drying processes. Furthermore, deep learning techniques are employed to precisely analyze Ostwald ripening and digestive ripening dynamics. The outcomes of this study not only deepen the understanding of soft matter at its fundamental level but also serve as a pivotal foundation for developing innovative functional materials and cutting-edge devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Sun
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Mechanics, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Xingyu Zhang
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Mechanics, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Rui Huang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Anhui Province, 230009, China.
| | - Dahai Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Anhui Province, 230009, China.
| | - Juyeong Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute of Natural Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, South Korea
| | - Junhao Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Anhui Province, 230009, China.
| | - Edison Huixiang Ang
- Natural Sciences and Science Education, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637616, Singapore
| | - Mufan Li
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, the College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Pecking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Lin Li
- Beijing Shunce Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, 102629, China
| | - Xiaohui Song
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Anhui Province, 230009, China.
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4
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Xu J, Gao X, Zheng L, Jia X, Xu K, Ma Y, Wei X, Liu N, Peng H, Wang HW. Graphene sandwich-based biological specimen preparation for cryo-EM analysis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2309384121. [PMID: 38252835 PMCID: PMC10835136 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309384121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
High-quality specimen preparation plays a crucial role in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structural analysis. In this study, we have developed a reliable and convenient technique called the graphene sandwich method for preparing cryo-EM specimens. This method involves using two layers of graphene films that enclose macromolecules on both sides, allowing for an appropriate ice thickness for cryo-EM analysis. The graphene sandwich helps to mitigate beam-induced charging effect and reduce particle motion compared to specimens prepared using the traditional method with graphene support on only one side, therefore improving the cryo-EM data quality. These advancements may open new opportunities to expand the use of graphene in the field of biological electron microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Xiaoyin Gao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Liming Zheng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Xia Jia
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Kui Xu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Yuwei Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Turbulence and Complex System, Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Xiaoding Wei
- State Key Laboratory for Turbulence and Complex System, Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Nan Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Hailin Peng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
- Beijing Graphene Institute, Beijing100095, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Hong-Wei Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
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5
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Kim A, Akkunuri K, Qian C, Yao L, Sun K, Chen Z, Vo T, Chen Q. Direct Imaging of "Patch-Clasping" and Relaxation in Robust and Flexible Nanoparticle Assemblies. ACS NANO 2024; 18:939-950. [PMID: 38146750 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c09710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Polymer patching on inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) enables multifunctionality and directed self-assembly into nonclosely packed optical and mechanical metamaterials. However, experimental demonstration of such assemblies has been scant due to challenges in leveraging patch-induced NP-NP attractions and understanding NP self-assembly dynamics. Here we use low-dose liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy to visualize the dynamic behaviors of tip-patched triangular nanoprisms upon patch-clasping, where polymer patches interpenetrate to form cohesive bonds that connect NPs. Notably, these bonds are longitudinally robust but rotationally flexible. Patch-clasping is found to allow highly selective tip-tip assembly, interconversion between dimeric bowtie and sawtooth configurations, and collective structural relaxation of NP networks. The integration of single particle tracking, polymer physics theory, and molecular dynamics simulation reveals the macromolecular origin of patch-clasping-induced NP dynamics. Our experiment-computation integration can aid the design of stimuli-responsive nanomaterials, such as topological metamaterials for chiral sensors, waveguides, and nanoantennas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahyoung Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Kireeti Akkunuri
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Chang Qian
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Lehan Yao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Kai Sun
- Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Zi Chen
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Thi Vo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, and Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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6
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Lee S, Ki H, Lee SJ, Ihee H. Single-Molecule X-ray Scattering Used to Visualize the Conformation Distribution of Biological Molecules via Single-Object Scattering Sampling. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17135. [PMID: 38138965 PMCID: PMC10743147 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological macromolecules, the fundamental building blocks of life, exhibit dynamic structures in their natural environment. Traditional structure determination techniques often oversimplify these multifarious conformational spectra by capturing only ensemble- and time-averaged molecular structures. Addressing this gap, in this work, we extend the application of the single-object scattering sampling (SOSS) method to diverse biological molecules, including RNAs and proteins. Our approach, referred to as "Bio-SOSS", leverages ultrashort X-ray pulses to capture instantaneous structures. In Bio-SOSS, we employ two gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as labels, which provide strong contrast in the X-ray scattering signal, to ensure precise distance determinations between labeled sites. We generated hypothetical Bio-SOSS images for RNAs, proteins, and an RNA-protein complex, each labeled with two AuNPs at specified positions. Subsequently, to validate the accuracy of Bio-SOSS, we extracted distances between these nanoparticle labels from the images and compared them with the actual values used to generate the Bio-SOSS images. Specifically, for a representative RNA (1KXK), the standard deviation in distance discrepancies between molecular dynamics snapshots and Bio-SOSS retrievals was found to be optimally around 0.2 Å, typically within 1 Å under practical experimental conditions at state-of-the-art X-ray free-electron laser facilities. Furthermore, we conducted an in-depth analysis of how various experimental factors, such as AuNP size, X-ray properties, and detector geometry, influence the accuracy of Bio-SOSS. This comprehensive investigation highlights the practicality and potential of Bio-SOSS in accurately capturing the diverse conformation spectrum of biological macromolecules, paving the way for deeper insights into their dynamic natures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seonggon Lee
- Department of Chemistry and KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; (S.L.); (H.K.); (S.J.L.)
- Center for Advanced Reaction Dynamics (CARD), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hosung Ki
- Department of Chemistry and KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; (S.L.); (H.K.); (S.J.L.)
- Center for Advanced Reaction Dynamics (CARD), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Jin Lee
- Department of Chemistry and KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; (S.L.); (H.K.); (S.J.L.)
- Center for Advanced Reaction Dynamics (CARD), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyotcherl Ihee
- Department of Chemistry and KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; (S.L.); (H.K.); (S.J.L.)
- Center for Advanced Reaction Dynamics (CARD), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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7
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DiCecco LA, Gao R, Gray JL, Kelly DF, Sone ED, Grandfield K. Liquid Transmission Electron Microscopy for Probing Collagen Biomineralization. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:9760-9768. [PMID: 37669509 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c02344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Collagen biomineralization is fundamental to hard tissue assembly. While studied extensively, collagen mineralization processes are not fully understood, with the majority of theories derived from electron microscopy (EM) under static, dehydrated, or frozen conditions, unlike the liquid phase environment where mineralization occurs. Herein, novel liquid transmission EM (TEM) strategies are presented, in which collagen mineralization was explored in liquid for the first time via TEM. Custom thin-film enclosures were employed to visualize the mineralization of reconstituted collagen fibrils in a calcium phosphate and polyaspartic acid solution to promote intrafibrillar mineralization. TEM highlighted that at early time points precursor mineral particles attached to collagen and progressed to crystalline mineral platelets aligned with fibrils at later time points. This aligns with observations from other techniques and validates the liquid TEM approach. This work provides a new liquid imaging approach for exploring collagen biomineralization, advancing toward understanding disease pathogenesis and remineralization strategies for hard tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza-Anastasia DiCecco
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-4400, United States
| | - Ruixin Gao
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Jennifer L Gray
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Deborah F Kelly
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-4400, United States
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Eli D Sone
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E4, Canada
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1X3, Canada
| | - Kathryn Grandfield
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
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8
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Chao HY, Venkatraman K, Moniri S, Jiang Y, Tang X, Dai S, Gao W, Miao J, Chi M. In Situ and Emerging Transmission Electron Microscopy for Catalysis Research. Chem Rev 2023. [PMID: 37327473 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Catalysts are the primary facilitator in many dynamic processes. Therefore, a thorough understanding of these processes has vast implications for a myriad of energy systems. The scanning/transmission electron microscope (S/TEM) is a powerful tool not only for atomic-scale characterization but also in situ catalytic experimentation. Techniques such as liquid and gas phase electron microscopy allow the observation of catalysts in an environment conducive to catalytic reactions. Correlated algorithms can greatly improve microscopy data processing and expand multidimensional data handling. Furthermore, new techniques including 4D-STEM, atomic electron tomography, cryogenic electron microscopy, and monochromated electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) push the boundaries of our comprehension of catalyst behavior. In this review, we discuss the existing and emergent techniques for observing catalysts using S/TEM. Challenges and opportunities highlighted aim to inspire and accelerate the use of electron microscopy to further investigate the complex interplay of catalytic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Yun Chao
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, One Bethel Valley Road, Building 4515, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6064, United States
| | - Kartik Venkatraman
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, One Bethel Valley Road, Building 4515, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6064, United States
| | - Saman Moniri
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Yongjun Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xuan Tang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Sheng Dai
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wenpei Gao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Jianwei Miao
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Miaofang Chi
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, One Bethel Valley Road, Building 4515, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6064, United States
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9
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Korpanty J, Wang C, Gianneschi NC. Upper critical solution temperature polymer assemblies via variable temperature liquid phase transmission electron microscopy and liquid resonant soft X-ray scattering. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3441. [PMID: 37301949 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38781-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we study the upper critical solution temperature triggered phase transition of thermally responsive poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate-co-poly(ethylene glycol) phenyl ether acrylate-block-polystyrene nanoassemblies in isopropanol. To gain mechanistic insight into the organic solution-phase dynamics of the upper critical solution temperature polymer, we leverage variable temperature liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy correlated with variable temperature liquid resonant soft X-ray scattering. Heating above the upper critical solution temperature triggers a reduction in particle size and a morphological transition from a spherical core shell particle with a complex, multiphase core to a micelle with a uniform core and Gaussian polymer chains attached to the surface. These correlated solution phase methods, coupled with mass spectral validation and modeling, provide unique insight into these thermoresponsive materials. Moreover, we detail a generalizable workflow for studying complex, solution-phase nanomaterials via correlative methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Korpanty
- Department of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Cheng Wang
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Nathan C Gianneschi
- Department of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
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10
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Zeng F, Jiang Y, He N, Guo T, Zhao T, Qu M, Sun Y, Chen S, Wang D, Luo Y, Chu G, Chen J, Sun SG, Liao HG. Real-time imaging of sulfhydryl single-stranded DNA aggregation. Commun Chem 2023; 6:86. [PMID: 37130956 PMCID: PMC10154300 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-00886-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The structure and functionality of biomacromolecules are often regulated by chemical bonds, however, the regulation process and underlying mechanisms have not been well understood. Here, by using in situ liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (LP-TEM), we explored the function of disulfide bonds during the self-assembly and structural evolution of sulfhydryl single-stranded DNA (SH-ssDNA). Sulfhydryl groups could induce self-assembly of SH-ssDNA into circular DNA containing disulfide bonds (SS-cirDNA). In addition, the disulfide bond interaction triggered the aggregation of two SS-cirDNA macromolecules along with significant structural changes. This visualization strategy provided structure information at nanometer resolution in real time and space, which could benefit future biomacromolecules research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanwei Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Youhong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Nana He
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Tiantian Guo
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Tiqing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Mi Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yue Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Shuting Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Dan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites and Research Center of the Ministry of Education for High Gravity Engineering and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites and Research Center of the Ministry of Education for High Gravity Engineering and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Guangwen Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites and Research Center of the Ministry of Education for High Gravity Engineering and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jianfeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites and Research Center of the Ministry of Education for High Gravity Engineering and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Shi-Gang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hong-Gang Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
- Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen, China.
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11
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Kim C, Kim Y, Lee SJ, Yun SR, Choi J, Kim SO, Yang Y, Ihee H. Visualizing Heterogeneous Protein Conformations with Multi-Tilt Nanoparticle-Aided Cryo-Electron Microscopy Sampling. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:3334-3343. [PMID: 37068052 PMCID: PMC10141564 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c00313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Obtaining the heterogeneous conformation of small proteins is important for understanding their biological role, but it is still challenging. Here, we developed a multi-tilt nanoparticle-aided cryo-electron microscopy sampling (MT-NACS) technique that enables the observation of heterogeneous conformations of small proteins and applied it to calmodulin. By imaging the proteins labeled by two gold nanoparticles at multiple tilt angles and analyzing the projected positions of the nanoparticles, the distributions of 3D interparticle distances were obtained. From the measured distance distributions, the conformational changes associated with Ca2+ binding and salt concentration were determined. MT-NACS was also used to track the structural change accompanied by the interaction between amyloid-beta and calmodulin, which has never been observed experimentally. This work offers an alternative platform for studying the functional flexibility of small proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changin Kim
- Department
of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of
Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KI
for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic
of Korea
- Center
for Advanced Reaction Dynamics, Institute
for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeeun Kim
- Department
of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of
Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic
of Korea
| | - Sang Jin Lee
- Department
of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of
Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KI
for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic
of Korea
- Center
for Advanced Reaction Dynamics, Institute
for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - So Ri Yun
- Department
of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of
Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KI
for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic
of Korea
- Center
for Advanced Reaction Dynamics, Institute
for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungkweon Choi
- Department
of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of
Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KI
for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic
of Korea
- Center
for Advanced Reaction Dynamics, Institute
for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Ok Kim
- Department
of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of
Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KI
for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic
of Korea
- Center
for Advanced Reaction Dynamics, Institute
for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongsoo Yang
- Department
of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of
Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic
of Korea
- Y.Y.:
email, ; tel, +82-42-350-7303
| | - Hyotcherl Ihee
- Department
of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of
Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KI
for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic
of Korea
- Center
for Advanced Reaction Dynamics, Institute
for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- H.I.: email, ; tel, +82-42-350-2844
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12
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Crook MF, Moreno-Hernandez IA, Ondry JC, Ciston J, Bustillo KC, Vargas A, Alivisatos AP. EELS Studies of Cerium Electrolyte Reveal Substantial Solute Concentration Effects in Graphene Liquid Cells. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:6648-6657. [PMID: 36939571 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c07778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
Graphene liquid cell transmission electron microscopy is a powerful technique to visualize nanoscale dynamics and transformations at atomic resolution. However, the solution in liquid cells is known to be affected by radiolysis, and the stochastic formation of graphene liquid cells raises questions about the solution chemistry in individual pockets. In this study, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) was used to evaluate a model encapsulated solution, aqueous CeCl3. First, the ratio between the O K-edge and Ce M-edge was used to approximate the concentration of cerium salt in the graphene liquid cell. It was determined that the ratio between oxygen and cerium was orders of magnitude lower than what is expected for a dilute solution, indicating that the encapsulated solution is highly concentrated. To probe how this affects the chemistry within graphene liquid cells, the oxidation of Ce3+ was measured using time-resolved parallel EELS. It was determined that Ce3+ oxidizes faster under high electron fluxes, but reaches the same steady-state Ce4+ concentration regardless of flux. The time-resolved concentration profiles enabled direct comparison to radiolysis models, which indicate rate constants and g-values of certain molecular species are substantially different in the highly concentrated environment. Finally, electron flux-dependent gold nanocrystal etching trajectories showed that gold nanocrystals etch faster at higher electron fluxes, correlating well with the Ce3+ oxidation kinetics. Understanding the effects of the highly concentrated solution in graphene liquid cells will provide new insight on previous studies and may open up opportunities to systematically study systems in highly concentrated solutions at high resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle F Crook
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Ivan A Moreno-Hernandez
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Justin C Ondry
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jim Ciston
- National Center for Electron Microscopy Facility, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Karen C Bustillo
- National Center for Electron Microscopy Facility, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Alfred Vargas
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - A Paul Alivisatos
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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13
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Jabbari V, Sawczyk M, Amiri A, Král P, Shahbazian-Yassar R. Unveiling growth and dynamics of liposomes by graphene liquid cell-transmission electron microscopy. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:5011-5022. [PMID: 36790028 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr06147c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Liposome is a model system for biotechnological and biomedical purposes spanning from targeted drug delivery to modern vaccine research. Yet, the growth mechanism of liposomes is largely unknown. In this work, the formation and evolution of phosphatidylcholine-based liposomes are studied in real-time by graphene liquid cell-transmission electron microscopy (GLC-TEM). We reveal important steps in the growth, fusion and denaturation of phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes. We show that initially complex lipid aggregates resembling micelles start to form. These aggregates randomly merge while capturing water and forming small proto-liposomes. The nanoscopic containers continue sucking water until their membrane becomes convex and free of redundant phospholipids, giving stabilized PC liposomes of different sizes. In the initial stage, proto-liposomes grow at a rate of 10-15 nm s-1, which is followed by their growth rate of 2-5 nm s-1, limited by the lipid availability in the solution. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to understand the structure of micellar clusters, their evolution, and merging. The liposomes are also found to fuse through lipid bilayers docking followed by the formation of a hemifusion diaphragm and fusion pore opening. The liposomes denaturation can be described by initial structural destabilization and deformation of the membrane followed by the leakage of the encapsulated liquid. This study offers new insights on the formation and growth of lipid-based molecular assemblies which is applicable to a wide range of amphiphilic molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Jabbari
- Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA. rsyassar@uic
| | - Michal Sawczyk
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Azadeh Amiri
- Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA. rsyassar@uic
| | - Petr Král
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Department of Physics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Reza Shahbazian-Yassar
- Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA. rsyassar@uic
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14
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Wang H, Xu Z, Mao S, Granick S. Experimental Guidelines to Image Transient Single-Molecule Events Using Graphene Liquid Cell Electron Microscopy. ACS NANO 2022; 16:18526-18537. [PMID: 36256532 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c06766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In quest of the holy grail to "see" how individual molecules interact in liquid environments, single-molecule imaging methods now include liquid-phase electron microscopy, whose resolution can be nanometers in space and several frames per second in time using an ordinary electron microscope that is routinely available to many researchers. However, with the current state of the art, protocols that sound similar to those described in the literature lead to outcomes that can differ. The key challenge is to achieve sample contrast under a safe electron dose within a frame rate adequate to capture the molecular process. Here, we present such examples from different systems─synthetic polymer, lipid assembly, DNA-enzyme─in which we have done this using graphene liquid cells. We describe detailed experimental procedures and share empirical experience for conducting successful experiments, starting from fabrication of a graphene liquid cell, to identification of high-quality liquid pockets from desirable shapes and sizes, to effective searching for target sample pockets under electron microscopy, and to discrimination of sample molecules and molecular processes of interest. These experimental tips can assist others who wish to make use of this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Spectroscopy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry & Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhun Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng Mao
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Steve Granick
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science, Ulsan, Korea, 44919
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea 44919
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15
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Dai Z, Xie X, Gao Z, Li Q. DNA‐PAINT Super‐Resolution Imaging for Characterization of Nucleic Acid Nanostructures. Chempluschem 2022; 87:e202200127. [DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202200127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zheze Dai
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering CHINA
| | - Xiaodong Xie
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering 200240 Shanghai CHINA
| | - Zhaoshuai Gao
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering 200240 Shanghai CHINA
| | - Qian Li
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Dongchuan Road 800中国 200240 Shanghai CHINA
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16
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Kelly DF, DiCecco LA, Jonaid GM, Dearnaley WJ, Spilman MS, Gray JL, Dressel-Dukes MJ. Liquid-EM goes viral - visualizing structure and dynamics. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 75:102426. [PMID: 35868163 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Liquid-electron microscopy (EM), the room temperature correlate to cryo-EM, is an exciting new technique delivering real-time data of dynamic reactions in solution. Here, we explain how liquid-EM gained popularity in recent years by examining key experiments conducted on viral assemblies and host-pathogen interactions. We describe developing workflows for specimen preparation, data collection, and computing processes that led to the first high-resolution virus structures in a liquid environment. Equally important, we review why liquid-electron tomography may become the next big thing in biomedical research due to its ability to monitor live viruses entering cells within seconds. Taken together, we pose the idea that liquid-EM can serve as a dynamic complement to current cryo-EM methods, inspiring the "real-time revolution" in nanoscale imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah F Kelly
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Liza-Anastasia DiCecco
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada. https://twitter.com/LizaDiCecco
| | - G M Jonaid
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - William J Dearnaley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. https://twitter.com/PennStateMRI
| | - Michael S Spilman
- Direct Electron, LP, San Diego, CA 92128, USA. https://twitter.com/DirectElectron
| | - Jennifer L Gray
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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17
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Lee H, Partanen M, Lee M, Jeong S, Lee HJ, Kim K, Ryu W, Dholakia K, Oh K. A laser-driven optical atomizer: photothermal generation and transport of zeptoliter-droplets along a carbon nanotube deposited hollow optical fiber. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:5138-5146. [PMID: 35302135 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr06211e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
From mechanical syringes to electric field-assisted injection devices, precise control of liquid droplet generation has been sought after, and the present state-of-the-art technologies have provided droplets ranging from nanoliter to subpicoliter volume sizes. In this study, we present a new laser-driven method to generate liquid droplets with a zeptoliter volume, breaking the fundamental limits of previous studies. We guided an infrared laser beam through a hollow optical fiber (HOF) with a ring core whose end facet was coated with single-walled carbon nanotubes. The laser light was absorbed by this nanotube film and efficiently generated a highly localized microring heat source. This evaporated the liquid inside the HOF, which rapidly recondensed into zeptoliter droplets in the surrounding air at room temperature. We spectroscopically confirmed the chemical structures of the liquid precursor maintained in the droplets by atomizing dye-dissolved glycerol. Moreover, we explain the fundamental physical principles as well as functionalities of the optical atomizer and perform a detailed characterization of the droplets. Our approach has strong prospects for nanoscale delivery of biochemical substances in minuscule zeptoliter volumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeonwoo Lee
- Photonic Device Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea.
| | - Mikko Partanen
- Photonic Device Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea.
- Photonics Group, Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 13500, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Mingyu Lee
- Photonic Device Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea.
| | - Sunghoon Jeong
- Photonic Device Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea.
| | - Hyeung Joo Lee
- Photonic Device Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea.
| | - Kwanpyo Kim
- Department of Physics, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Wonhyoung Ryu
- Biomedical and Energy System Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea.
| | - Kishan Dholakia
- Photonic Device Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea.
- SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, KY16 9SS, UK.
| | - Kyunghwan Oh
- Photonic Device Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea.
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18
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Zhang Y, Zhang X, Ren Q, Liu J, Chen Z, Ma M, Fan L, Zhao Y, Zhao P. Using Scalable Graphene via Press-and-Peel: A Robust and Storable Tape. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:14513-14519. [PMID: 35306806 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c01051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The independent expertise required by the preparation and application of graphene has brought a challenge to the more fluent development of graphene devices. We combine the advantages of chemical vapor deposition and micromechanical exfoliation methods of synthesizing graphene to develop a "graphene tape" for the fast utilization of graphene, which is robust, storable, and user-friendly. Prepared by pretransferring graphene to the surface of a polymer carrier film with weak interfacial adhesion, this graphene tape enables the acquisition, patterning, and layer-by-layer epitaxy of scalable graphene on a target substrate through simple cutting, pressing, and peeling off. Multiple characterizations demonstrate its comparable quality with as-synthesized graphene even after stored for over 30 days, overcoming the time and space limitations of acquiring a graphene sample. We believe that this graphene tape can bridge the current gap between graphene synthesis and applications and promote industrial progress of graphene-based devices in the post-Moore era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Center for X-Mechanics and Institute of Applied Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Xuewei Zhang
- Center for X-Mechanics and Institute of Applied Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Qiancheng Ren
- Center for X-Mechanics and Institute of Applied Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Jinglan Liu
- Center for X-Mechanics and Institute of Applied Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Zhengyang Chen
- College of Information Science and Electronic Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Mengchen Ma
- Institute of Thermal Science and Power Systems, School of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Liwu Fan
- Institute of Thermal Science and Power Systems, School of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Yi Zhao
- College of Information Science and Electronic Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Pei Zhao
- Center for X-Mechanics and Institute of Applied Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, P. R. China
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19
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An H, Smith JW, Ji B, Cotty S, Zhou S, Yao L, Kalutantirige FC, Chen W, Ou Z, Su X, Feng J, Chen Q. Mechanism and performance relevance of nanomorphogenesis in polyamide films revealed by quantitative 3D imaging and machine learning. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabk1888. [PMID: 35196079 PMCID: PMC8865778 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abk1888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Biological morphogenesis has inspired many efficient strategies to diversify material structure and functionality using a fixed set of components. However, implementation of morphogenesis concepts to design soft nanomaterials is underexplored. Here, we study nanomorphogenesis in the form of the three-dimensional (3D) crumpling of polyamide membranes used for commercial molecular separation, through an unprecedented integration of electron tomography, reaction-diffusion theory, machine learning (ML), and liquid-phase atomic force microscopy. 3D tomograms show that the spatial arrangement of crumples scales with monomer concentrations in a form quantitatively consistent with a Turing instability. Membrane microenvironments quantified from the nanomorphologies of crumples are combined with the Spiegler-Kedem model to accurately predict methanol permeance. ML classifies vastly heterogeneous crumples into just four morphology groups, exhibiting distinct mechanical properties. Our work forges quantitative links between synthesis and performance in polymer thin films, which can be applicable to diverse soft nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyosung An
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - John W. Smith
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Bingqiang Ji
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Stephen Cotty
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Shan Zhou
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Lehan Yao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | - Wenxiang Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Zihao Ou
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Xiao Su
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Jie Feng
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
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20
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Motion of small bubbles and drops in viscoelastic fluids. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2021.101529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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21
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Jonaid GM, Casasanta MA, Dearnaley WJ, Berry S, Kaylor L, Dressel-Dukes MJ, Spilman MS, Gray JL, Kelly DF. Automated Tools to Advance High-Resolution Imaging in Liquid. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2022; 28:1-10. [PMID: 35048845 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927621013921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-electron microscopy (EM), the room-temperature correlate to cryo-EM, is a rapidly growing field providing high-resolution insights of macromolecules in solution. Here, we describe how liquid-EM experiments can incorporate automated tools to propel the field to new heights. We demonstrate fresh workflows for specimen preparation, data collection, and computing processes to assess biological structures in liquid. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) and the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) were used as model systems to highlight the technical advances. These complexes were selected based on their major differences in size and natural symmetry. AAV is a highly symmetric, icosahedral assembly with a particle diameter of ~25 nm. At the other end of the spectrum, N protein is an asymmetric monomer or dimer with dimensions of approximately 5–7 nm, depending upon its oligomerization state. Equally important, both AAV and N protein are popular subjects in biomedical research due to their high value in vaccine development and therapeutic efforts against COVID-19. Overall, we demonstrate how automated practices in liquid-EM can be used to decode molecules of interest for human health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Jonaid
- Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
| | - Michael A Casasanta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
| | - William J Dearnaley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
| | - Samantha Berry
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
| | - Liam Kaylor
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
| | | | | | - Jennifer L Gray
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
| | - Deborah F Kelly
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
- Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
- Center for Structural Oncology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
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22
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Kang S, Kim JH, Lee M, Yu JW, Kim J, Kang D, Baek H, Bae Y, Kim BH, Kang S, Shim S, Park SJ, Lee WB, Hyeon T, Sung J, Park J. Real-space imaging of nanoparticle transport and interaction dynamics by graphene liquid cell TEM. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabi5419. [PMID: 34860549 PMCID: PMC8641935 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abi5419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Thermal motion of colloidal nanoparticles and their cohesive interactions are of fundamental importance in nanoscience but are difficult to access quantitatively, primarily due to the lack of the appropriate analytical tools to investigate the dynamics of individual particles at nanoscales. Here, we directly monitor the stochastic thermal motion and coalescence dynamics of gold nanoparticles smaller than 5 nm, using graphene liquid cell (GLC) transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We also present a novel model of nanoparticle dynamics, providing a unified, quantitative explanation of our experimental observations. The nanoparticles in a GLC exhibit non-Gaussian, diffusive motion, signifying dynamic fluctuation of the diffusion coefficient due to the dynamically heterogeneous environment surrounding nanoparticles, including organic ligands on the nanoparticle surface. Our study shows that the dynamics of nanoparticle coalescence is controlled by two elementary processes: diffusion-limited encounter complex formation and the subsequent coalescence of the encounter complex through rotational motion, where surface-passivating ligands play a critical role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungsu Kang
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Process, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hyun Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
- Center for Chemical Dynamics in Living Cells, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Minyoung Lee
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Process, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Woong Yu
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Process, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Joodeok Kim
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Process, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dohun Kang
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Process, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hayeon Baek
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Process, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuna Bae
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Process, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Hyo Kim
- Department of Organic Materials and Fiber Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea
| | - Seulki Kang
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangdeok Shim
- Department of Chemistry, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Jung Park
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Bo Lee
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Process, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeghwan Hyeon
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Process, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeyoung Sung
- Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
- Center for Chemical Dynamics in Living Cells, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
- Corresponding author. (J.P.); (J.S.)
| | - Jungwon Park
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Process, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Engineering Research, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Corresponding author. (J.P.); (J.S.)
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23
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Lehnert T, Kretschmer S, Bräuer F, Krasheninnikov AV, Kaiser U. Quasi-two-dimensional NaCl crystals encapsulated between graphene sheets and their decomposition under an electron beam. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:19626-19633. [PMID: 34816852 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr04792b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Quasi-two-dimensional (2D) sodium chloride (NaCl) crystals of various lateral sizes between graphene sheets were manufactured via supersaturation from a saline solution. Aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy was used for systematic in situ investigations of the crystals and their decomposition under an 80 kV electron beam. Counterintuitively, bigger clusters were found to disintegrate faster under electron irradiation, but in general no correlation between crystal sizes and electron doses at which the crystals decompose was found. As for the destruction process, an abrupt decomposition of the crystals was observed, which can be described by a logistic decay function. Density-functional theory molecular dynamics simulations provide insights into the destruction mechanism, and indicate that even without account for ionization and electron excitations, free-standing NaCl crystals must quickly disintegrate due to the ballistic displacement of atoms from their surface and edges during imaging. However, graphene sheets mitigate damage development by stopping the displaced atoms and enable the immediate recombination of defects at the surface of the crystal. At the same time, once a hole in graphene appears, the displaced atoms escape, giving rise to the quick destruction of the crystal. Our results provide quantitative data on the stability of encapsulated quasi 2D NaCl crystals under electron irradiation and allow the conclusion that only high-quality graphene is suitable for protecting ionic crystals from beam damage in electron microscopy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Lehnert
- Electron Microscopy Group of Materials Science, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
- Institute for Quantum Optics, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Silvan Kretschmer
- Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Fredrik Bräuer
- Electron Microscopy Group of Materials Science, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
| | - Arkady V Krasheninnikov
- Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, P.O. Box 11100, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Ute Kaiser
- Electron Microscopy Group of Materials Science, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
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24
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Arble C, Guo H, Matruglio A, Gianoncelli A, Vaccari L, Birarda G, Kolmakov A. Addressable graphene encapsulation of wet specimens on a chip for optical, electron, infrared and X-ray based spectromicroscopy studies. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:4618-4628. [PMID: 34679149 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00440a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Label-free spectromicroscopy methods offer the capability to examine complex cellular phenomena. Electron and X-ray based spectromicroscopy methods, though powerful, have been hard to implement with hydrated objects due to the vacuum incompatibility of the samples and due to the parasitic signals from (or drastic attenuation by) the liquid matrix surrounding the biological object of interest. Similarly, for many techniques that operate at ambient pressure, such as Fourier transform infrared spectromicroscopy (FTIRM), the aqueous environment imposes severe limitations due to the strong absorption of liquid water in the infrared regime. Here we propose a microfabricated multi-compartmental and reusable hydrated sample platform suitable for use with several analytical techniques, which employs the conformal encapsulation of biological specimens by a few layers of atomically thin graphene. Such an electron, X-ray, and infrared transparent, molecularly impermeable and mechanically robust enclosure preserves the hydrated environment around the object for a sufficient time to allow in situ examination of hydrated bio-objects with techniques operating under both ambient and high vacuum conditions. An additional hydration source, provided by hydrogel pads lithographically patterned in the liquid state near/around the specimen and co-encapsulated, has been added to further extend the hydration lifetime. Note that the in-liquid lithographic electron beam-induced gelation procedure allows for addressable capture and immobilization of the biological cells from the solution. Scanning electron microscopy and optical fluorescence microscopy, as well as synchrotron radiation based FTIR and X-ray fluorescence microscopy, have been used to test the applicability of the platform and for its validation with yeast, A549 human carcinoma lung cells and micropatterned gels as biological object phantoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Arble
- Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA.
| | - Hongxuan Guo
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center, Key Laboratory of MEMS of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, P. R. China
| | - Alessia Matruglio
- CERIC-ERIC (Central European Research Infrastructure Consortium), S.S. 14 Km 163,4 in Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gianoncelli
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, S.S. 14 Km 163,4 in Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, S.S. 14 Km 163,4 in Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, S.S. 14 Km 163,4 in Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrei Kolmakov
- Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA.
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25
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Lu Z, Liu X, He M, Long J, Liu J. Dynamic motions and architectural changes in DNA supramolecular aggregates visualized via transmission electron microscopy without liquid cells. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:15928-15936. [PMID: 34523635 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr04133a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, breakthroughs in liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have enabled in situ visualization of the motion dynamics of nanostructures in liquid media with unprecedented detail. However, it remains a significant challenge to perform liquid-phase TEM due to the intricate preparation procedure of liquid cells to keep liquid from evaporating under ultrahigh vacuum conditions in TEM columns. In the present study, the nonvolatility and remarkable solvation property of ionic liquids (ILs) is exploited to image the dynamic processes of DNA supramolecular aggregates and Au nanoparticle (NP) aggregates encompassing Brownian motions, interactions among individual nanoobjects and changes in architecture at nanometer resolution. Significant differences in motion behaviors are observed between DNA supramolecular aggregates and Au NP aggregates. Moreover, the temperature and dose dependence of dynamic motions are also investigated. The findings provide insights into the dynamics of DNA supramolecular aggregates and Au NP aggregates in ILs and present an easily accessible approach for probing the dynamic processes of biomacromolecular and other soft matter aggregates with various kinds of ILs at the nanoscale level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoyang Lu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xiangyang Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Thermal Fluid Science and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Maogang He
- The Key Laboratory of Thermal Fluid Science and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiangang Long
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Jiankang Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, Shaanxi, China.
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26
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Zhang B, Jiang L, Rane K, Goual L, Piri M. Low-Temperature Graphene Growth and Shrinkage Dynamics from Petroleum Asphaltene on CuO Nanoparticle. Ind Eng Chem Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.1c01658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bingjun Zhang
- Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, United States
| | - Lin Jiang
- Materials & Structural Analysis, Thermo Fisher Scientific, 5350 Northeast Dawson Creek Drive, Hillsboro, Oregon 97124, United States
| | - Kaustubh Rane
- Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, United States
| | - Lamia Goual
- Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, United States
| | - Mohammad Piri
- Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, United States
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27
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Ki H, Jo J, Kim Y, Kim TW, Kim C, Kim Y, Kim CW, Muniyappan S, Lee SJ, Kim Y, Kim HM, Yang Y, Rhee YM, Ihee H. Uncovering the Conformational Distribution of a Small Protein with Nanoparticle-Aided Cryo-Electron Microscopy Sampling. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:6565-6573. [PMID: 34251825 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c01277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Here, we introduce the nanoparticle-aided cryo-electron microscopy sampling (NACS) method to access the conformational distribution of a protein molecule. Two nanogold particles are labeled at two target sites, and the interparticle distance is measured as a structural parameter via cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The key aspect of NACS is that the projected distance information instead of the global conformational information is extracted from each protein molecule. This is possible because the contrast provided by the nanogold particles is strong enough to provide the projected distance, while the protein itself is invisible due to its low contrast. We successfully demonstrate that various protein conformations, even for small or disordered proteins, which generally cannot be accessed via cryo-EM, can be captured. The demonstrated method with the potential to directly observe the conformational distribution of such systems may open up new possibilities in studying their dynamics at a single-molecule level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hosung Ki
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomaterials and Chemical Reactions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Junbeom Jo
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomaterials and Chemical Reactions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngmin Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomaterials and Chemical Reactions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Wu Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomaterials and Chemical Reactions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Changin Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomaterials and Chemical Reactions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeeun Kim
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Woo Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Srinivasan Muniyappan
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomaterials and Chemical Reactions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Jin Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomaterials and Chemical Reactions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yonggwan Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomaterials and Chemical Reactions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Min Kim
- Center for Biomolecular & Cellular Structure, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science & Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongsoo Yang
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Min Rhee
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyotcherl Ihee
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomaterials and Chemical Reactions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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28
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Crook MF, Laube C, Moreno-Hernandez IA, Kahnt A, Zahn S, Ondry JC, Liu A, Alivisatos AP. Elucidating the Role of Halides and Iron during Radiolysis-Driven Oxidative Etching of Gold Nanocrystals Using Liquid Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy and Pulse Radiolysis. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:11703-11713. [PMID: 34292703 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c05099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Graphene liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has enabled the observation of a variety of nanoscale transformations. Yet understanding the chemistry of the liquid cell solution and its impact on the observed transformations remains an important step toward translating insights from liquid cell TEM to benchtop chemistry. Gold nanocrystal etching can be used as a model system to probe the reactivity of the solution. FeCl3 has been widely used to promote gold oxidation in bulk and liquid cell TEM studies, but the roles of the halide and iron species have not been fully elucidated. In this work, we observed the etching trajectories of gold nanocrystals in different iron halide solutions. We observed an increase in gold nanocrystal etch rate going from Cl-- to Br-- to I--containing solutions. This is consistent with a mechanism in which the dominant role of halides is as complexation agents for oxidized gold species. Additionally, the mechanism through which FeCl3 induces etching in liquid cell TEM remains unclear. Ground-state bleaching of the Fe(III) absorption band observed through pulse radiolysis indicates that iron may react with Cl2·- radicals to form an oxidized transient species under irradiation. Complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations indicate that the FeCl3 complex is oxidized to an Fe species with an OH radical ligand. Together our data indicate that an oxidized Fe species may be the active oxidant, while halides modulate the etch rate by tuning the reduction potential of gold nanocrystals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle F Crook
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Christian Laube
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Ivan A Moreno-Hernandez
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Axel Kahnt
- Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering (IOM), Permoserstr. 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Zahn
- Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering (IOM), Permoserstr. 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Justin C Ondry
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute, University of California-Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Aijia Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - A Paul Alivisatos
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute, University of California-Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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29
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Verification of water presence in graphene liquid cells. Micron 2021; 149:103109. [PMID: 34332298 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2021.103109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Graphene liquid cells (GLCs) present the thinnest possible sample enclosures for liquid phase electron microscopy. However, the actual presence of liquid within a GLC is not always guaranteed. Of key importance is to reliably test the presence of the liquid, which is most frequently water or saline. Here, the commonly used methods for verifying the presence of water were evaluated. It is shown that depending on the type of sample, applying a single criterion does not always conclusively verify the presence of water. Testing liquid filling for a specific GLC sample preparation protocol should thus be considered critically. The most reliable method is direct observation of the water exciton peak using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). But if this method cannot be carried out, water filling of the GLC can be verified from a combination of higher contrast in the image, the presence of bubbles, and an oxygen signal in the EEL spectrum, which can be accomplished at a high electron dose in spot mode. Nanoparticle movement does not always occur in a GLC.
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30
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Jamali V, Hargus C, Ben-Moshe A, Aghazadeh A, Ha HD, Mandadapu KK, Alivisatos AP. Anomalous nanoparticle surface diffusion in LCTEM is revealed by deep learning-assisted analysis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2017616118. [PMID: 33658362 PMCID: PMC7958372 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2017616118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The motion of nanoparticles near surfaces is of fundamental importance in physics, biology, and chemistry. Liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (LCTEM) is a promising technique for studying motion of nanoparticles with high spatial resolution. Yet, the lack of understanding of how the electron beam of the microscope affects the particle motion has held back advancement in using LCTEM for in situ single nanoparticle and macromolecule tracking at interfaces. Here, we experimentally studied the motion of a model system of gold nanoparticles dispersed in water and moving adjacent to the silicon nitride membrane of a commercial LC in a broad range of electron beam dose rates. We find that the nanoparticles exhibit anomalous diffusive behavior modulated by the electron beam dose rate. We characterized the anomalous diffusion of nanoparticles in LCTEM using a convolutional deep neural-network model and canonical statistical tests. The results demonstrate that the nanoparticle motion is governed by fractional Brownian motion at low dose rates, resembling diffusion in a viscoelastic medium, and continuous-time random walk at high dose rates, resembling diffusion on an energy landscape with pinning sites. Both behaviors can be explained by the presence of silanol molecular species on the surface of the silicon nitride membrane and the ionic species in solution formed by radiolysis of water in presence of the electron beam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vida Jamali
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Cory Hargus
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Assaf Ben-Moshe
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Materials Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Amirali Aghazadeh
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Hyun Dong Ha
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Kranthi K Mandadapu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - A Paul Alivisatos
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720;
- Materials Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720
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31
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Korpanty J, Parent LR, Gianneschi NC. Enhancing and Mitigating Radiolytic Damage to Soft Matter in Aqueous Phase Liquid-Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy in the Presence of Gold Nanoparticle Sensitizers or Isopropanol Scavengers. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:1141-1149. [PMID: 33448858 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c04636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we describe the radiolytic environment experienced by a polymer in water during liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy (LCTEM). We examined the radiolytic environment of aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, 2400 g/mol) in the presence of sensitizing gold nanoparticles (GNPs, 100 nm) or radical scavenging isopropanol (IPA). To quantify polymer damage, we employed post-mortem analysis via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS). This approach confirms IPA (1-10% w/v) can significantly mitigate radiolysis-induced damage to polymers in water, while GNPs significantly enhance damage. We couple LCTEM experiments with simulations to provide a generalizable strategy for assessing radiolysis mitigation or enhancement. This study highlights the caution required for LCTEM experiments on inorganic nanoparticles where solution phase properties of surrounding organic materials or the solvent itself are under investigation. Furthermore, we anticipate an increased use of scavengers for LCTEM studies of all kinds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Korpanty
- Department of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Lucas R Parent
- Innovation Partnership Building, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Nathan C Gianneschi
- Department of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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32
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Pendergast AD, Deng Z, Maroun F, Renault C, Dick JE. Revealing Dynamic Rotation of Single Graphene Nanoplatelets on Electrified Microinterfaces. ACS NANO 2021; 15:1250-1258. [PMID: 33325229 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c08406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles interact with a variety of interfaces, from cell walls for medicinal applications to conductive interfaces for energy storage and conversion applications. Unfortunately, quantifying dynamic changes of nanoparticles near interfaces is difficult. While optical techniques exist to study nanoparticle dynamics, motions smaller than the diffraction limit are difficult to quantify. Single-entity electrochemistry has high sensitivity, but the technique suffers from ambiguity in the entity's size, morphology, and collision location. Here, we combine optical microscopy, single-entity electrochemistry, and numerical simulations to elucidate the dynamic motion of graphene nanoplatelets at a gold ultramicroelectrode (radius ∼5 μm). The approach of conductive graphene nanoplatelets, suspended in 10 μM NaOH, to an ultramicroelectrode surface was tracked optically during the continuous oxidation of ferrocenemethanol. Optical microscopy confirmed the nanoplatelet size, morphology, and collision location on the ultramicroelectrode. Nanoplatelets collided on the ultramicroelectrode at an angle, θ, enhancing the electroactive area, resulting in a sharp increase in current. After the collision, the nanoplatelets reoriented to lay flat on the electrode surface, which manifested as a return to the baseline current in the amperometric current-time response. Through correlated finite element simulations, we extracted single nanoplatelet angular velocities on the order of 0.5-2°/ms. These results are a necessary step forward in understanding nanoparticle dynamics at the nanoscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Pendergast
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Zejun Deng
- Physique de la Matière Condensée, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - Fouad Maroun
- Physique de la Matière Condensée, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - Christophe Renault
- Physique de la Matière Condensée, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - Jeffrey E Dick
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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33
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Park J, Koo K, Noh N, Chang JH, Cheong JY, Dae KS, Park JS, Ji S, Kim ID, Yuk JM. Graphene Liquid Cell Electron Microscopy: Progress, Applications, and Perspectives. ACS NANO 2021; 15:288-308. [PMID: 33395264 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c10229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Graphene liquid cell electron microscopy (GLC-EM), a cutting-edge liquid-phase EM technique, has become a powerful tool to directly visualize wet biological samples and the microstructural dynamics of nanomaterials in liquids. GLC uses graphene sheets with a one carbon atom thickness as a viewing window and a liquid container. As a result, GLC facilitates atomic-scale observation while sustaining intact liquids inside an ultra-high-vacuum transmission electron microscopy chamber. Using GLC-EM, diverse scientific results have been recently reported in the material, colloidal, environmental, and life science fields. Here, the developments of GLC fabrications, such as first-generation veil-type cells, second-generation well-type cells, and third-generation liquid-flowing cells, are summarized. Moreover, recent GLC-EM studies on colloidal nanoparticles, battery electrodes, mineralization, and wet biological samples are also highlighted. Finally, the considerations and future opportunities associated with GLC-EM are discussed to offer broad understanding and insight on atomic-resolution imaging in liquid-state dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungjae Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kunmo Koo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Namgyu Noh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Ha Chang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Young Cheong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyun Seong Dae
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Su Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghyeon Ji
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Il-Doo Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Min Yuk
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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34
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Koo K, Park J, Ji S, Toleukhanova S, Yuk JM. Liquid-Flowing Graphene Chip-Based High-Resolution Electron Microscopy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2005468. [PMID: 33215775 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202005468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The recent advances in liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy represent tremendous potential in many different fields and exciting new opportunities. However, achieving both high-resolution imaging and operando capabilities remain a significant challenge. This work suggests a novel in situ imaging platform of liquid-flowing graphene chip TEM (LFGC-TEM) equipped with graphene viewing windows and a liquid exchange system. The LFGCs are robust under high-pressure gradients and rapid liquid circulation in ranges covering the experimental conditions accessible with conventional thick SiNx chips. LFGC-TEM provides atomic resolution for colloidal nanoparticles and molecular-level information limits for unstained wet biomolecules and cells that are comparable to the resolutions achievable with solid-phase and cryogenic TEM, respectively. This imaging platform can provide an opportunity for live imaging of biological phenomena that is not yet achieved using any current methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunmo Koo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungjae Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghyeon Ji
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Saltanat Toleukhanova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Min Yuk
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
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35
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Nappini S, D'Amario L, Favaro M, Dal Zilio S, Salvador F, Betz-Güttner E, Fondacaro A, Píš I, Romanzin L, Gambitta A, Bondino F, Lazzarino M, Magnano E. Soft x-ray spectroscopies in liquids and at solid-liquid interface at BACH beamline at Elettra. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2021; 92:015115. [PMID: 33514239 DOI: 10.1063/5.0025326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The beamline for advanced dichroism of the Istituto Officina dei Materiali-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, operating at the Elettra synchrotron in Trieste (Italy), works in the extreme ultraviolet-soft x-ray photon energy range with selectable light polarization, high energy resolution, brilliance, and time resolution. The beamline offers a multi-technique approach for the investigation of the electronic, chemical, structural, magnetic, and dynamical properties of materials. Recently, one of the three end stations has been dedicated to experiments based on electron transfer processes at the solid/liquid interfaces and during photocatalytic or electrochemical reactions. Suitable cells to perform soft x-ray spectroscopy in the presence of liquids and reagent gases at ambient pressure were developed. Here, we present two types of static cells working in transmission or in fluorescence yield and an electrochemical flow cell that allows us to carry out cyclic voltammetry in situ and electrodeposition on a working electrode and to study chemical reactions under operando conditions. Examples of x-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements performed under ambient conditions and during electrochemical experiments in liquids are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nappini
- IOM CNR Laboratorio TASC, 34149 Basovizza, TS, Italy
| | - L D'Amario
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Physics Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin-Dahlem, Germany
| | - M Favaro
- Institute for Solar Fuels, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - S Dal Zilio
- IOM CNR Laboratorio TASC, 34149 Basovizza, TS, Italy
| | - F Salvador
- IOM CNR Laboratorio TASC, 34149 Basovizza, TS, Italy
| | - E Betz-Güttner
- Università degli Studi di Trieste, Physics Department, P.le Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - A Fondacaro
- IOM CNR Laboratorio TASC, 34149 Basovizza, TS, Italy
| | - I Píš
- IOM CNR Laboratorio TASC, 34149 Basovizza, TS, Italy
| | - L Romanzin
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - A Gambitta
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - F Bondino
- IOM CNR Laboratorio TASC, 34149 Basovizza, TS, Italy
| | - M Lazzarino
- IOM CNR Laboratorio TASC, 34149 Basovizza, TS, Italy
| | - E Magnano
- IOM CNR Laboratorio TASC, 34149 Basovizza, TS, Italy
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36
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Zhang J, Zhao P. Atomic imaging of the motion and transformation of Pt3Ni nanoparticles in liquids. CrystEngComm 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1ce00216c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we used liquid cell TEM to observe the motion and transformation pathways of Pt3Ni nanoparticles in solution by systematically changing the electron beam dose rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Zhang
- Instrumental Analysis Center
- Laboratory and Equipment Management Department
- Huaqiao University
- Xiamen 361021
- China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Instrumental Analysis Center
- Laboratory and Equipment Management Department
- Huaqiao University
- Xiamen 361021
- China
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37
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Lee SH, Rho WY, Chang H, Lee JH, Kim J, Lee SH, Jun BH. Carbon Nanomaterials for Biomedical Application. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1309:257-276. [PMID: 33782876 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-33-6158-4_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The use of carbon-based nanomaterials (CNs) with outstanding properties has been rising in many scientific and industrial application fields. These CNs represent a tunable alternative for applications with biomolecules, which allow interactions in either covalent or noncovalent way. Diverse carbon-derived nanomaterial family exhibits unique features and has been widely exploited in various biomedical applications, including biosensing, diagnosis, cancer therapy, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. In this chapter, we aim to present an overview of CNs with a particular interest in intrinsic structural, electronic, and chemical properties. In particular, the detailed properties and features of CNs and its derivatives, including carbon nanotube (CNT), graphene, graphene oxide (GO), and reduced GO (rGO) are summarized. The interesting biomedical applications are also reviewed in order to offer an overview of the possible fields for scientific and industrial applications of CNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Hun Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Hanbat National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Yeop Rho
- School of International Engineering and Science, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyejin Chang
- Division of Science Education, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Hun Lee
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Gachon University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehi Kim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Hwan Lee
- Department of Bionano Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong-Hyun Jun
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea.
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38
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Adhikari S, Spaeth P, Kar A, Baaske MD, Khatua S, Orrit M. Photothermal Microscopy: Imaging the Optical Absorption of Single Nanoparticles and Single Molecules. ACS NANO 2020; 14:16414-16445. [PMID: 33216527 PMCID: PMC7760091 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c07638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The photothermal (PT) signal arises from slight changes of the index of refraction in a sample due to absorption of a heating light beam. Refractive index changes are measured with a second probing beam, usually of a different color. In the past two decades, this all-optical detection method has reached the sensitivity of single particles and single molecules, which gave birth to original applications in material science and biology. PT microscopy enables shot-noise-limited detection of individual nanoabsorbers among strong scatterers and circumvents many of the limitations of fluorescence-based detection. This review describes the theoretical basis of PT microscopy, the methodological developments that improved its sensitivity toward single-nanoparticle and single-molecule imaging, and a vast number of applications to single-nanoparticle imaging and tracking in material science and in cellular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhasis Adhikari
- Huygens−Kamerlingh
Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick Spaeth
- Huygens−Kamerlingh
Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ashish Kar
- Chemistry
Discipline, Indian Institute of Technology
Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gujrat 382355, India
| | - Martin Dieter Baaske
- Huygens−Kamerlingh
Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Saumyakanti Khatua
- Chemistry
Discipline, Indian Institute of Technology
Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gujrat 382355, India
| | - Michel Orrit
- Huygens−Kamerlingh
Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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39
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Han Z, Porter AE. In situ Electron Microscopy of Complex Biological and Nanoscale Systems: Challenges and Opportunities. FRONTIERS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fnano.2020.606253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In situ imaging for direct visualization is important for physical and biological sciences. Research endeavors into elucidating dynamic biological and nanoscale phenomena frequently necessitate in situ and time-resolved imaging. In situ liquid cell electron microscopy (LC-EM) can overcome certain limitations of conventional electron microscopies and offer great promise. This review aims to examine the status-quo and practical challenges of in situ LC-EM and its applications, and to offer insights into a novel correlative technique termed microfluidic liquid cell electron microscopy. We conclude by suggesting a few research ideas adopting microfluidic LC-EM for in situ imaging of biological and nanoscale systems.
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40
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Dunn G, Adiga VP, Pham T, Bryant C, Horton-Bailey DJ, Belling JN, LaFrance B, Jackson JA, Barzegar HR, Yuk JM, Aloni S, Crommie MF, Zettl A. Graphene-Sealed Flow Cells for In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy of Liquid Samples. ACS NANO 2020; 14:9637-9643. [PMID: 32806056 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c00431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We introduce a graphene-based nanofluidic cell that facilitates in situ imaging of liquid samples via transmission electron microscopy. The cell combines the benefits of graphene liquid cells-namely, high resolution, reduced charging effects, and excellent sample stability-with the ability to introduce reactants and control fluid concentrations as provided by conventional silicon-nitride-windowed flow cells. The graphene flow cell offers significantly less window bowing compared to existing commercial holders. We demonstrate the performance of the flow cell by imaging gold nanoparticle dynamics and uranyl acetate crystallization. Our results confirm the utility of graphene flow cells in obtaining the high spatial and temporal resolution required for probing the complex dynamics of nanoparticles and nucleation pathways in aqueous solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Dunn
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Vivekananda P Adiga
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Thang Pham
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Christopher Bryant
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Donez J Horton-Bailey
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jason N Belling
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Ben LaFrance
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jonathan A Jackson
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Hamid Reza Barzegar
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jong Min Yuk
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Shaul Aloni
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Michael F Crommie
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Alex Zettl
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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41
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Hauwiller MR, Ye X, Jones MR, Chan CM, Calvin JJ, Crook MF, Zheng H, Alivisatos AP. Tracking the Effects of Ligands on Oxidative Etching of Gold Nanorods in Graphene Liquid Cell Electron Microscopy. ACS NANO 2020; 14:10239-10250. [PMID: 32806045 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c03601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Surface ligands impact the properties and chemistry of nanocrystals, but observing ligand binding locations and their effect on nanocrystal shape transformations is challenging. Using graphene liquid cell electron microscopy and the controllable, oxidative etching of gold nanocrystals, the effect of different ligands on nanocrystal etching can be tracked with nanometer spatial resolution. The chemical environment of liquids irradiated with high-energy electrons is complex and potentially harsh, yet it is possible to observe clear evidence for differential binding properties of specific ligands to the nanorods' surface. Exchanging CTAB ligands for PEG-alkanethiol ligands causes the nanorods to etch at a different, constant rate while still maintaining their aspect ratio. Adding cysteine ligands that bind preferentially to nanorod tips induces etching predominantly on the sides of the rods. This etching at the sides leads to Rayleigh instabilities and eventually breaks apart the nanorod into two separate nanoparticles. The shape transformation is controlled by the interplay between atom removal and diffusion of surface atoms and ligands. These in situ observations are confirmed with ex situ colloidal etching reactions of gold nanorods in solution. The ability to monitor the effect of ligands on nanocrystal shape transformations will enable future in situ studies of nanocrystals surfaces and ligand binding positions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Hauwiller
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Xingchen Ye
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Matthew R Jones
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Cindy M Chan
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jason J Calvin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Michelle F Crook
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Haimei Zheng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - A Paul Alivisatos
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute, University of California-Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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42
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Noh N, Park J, Park JS, Koo K, Park JY, Yuk JM. Lithographically patterned well-type graphene liquid cells with rational designs. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:2796-2803. [PMID: 32633750 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00440e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Graphene liquid cell transmission electron microscopy allows in situ observation of nanomaterial dynamics in a liquid environment. However, this method suffers from both random formation and small size of liquid pockets. Here, we introduce facile and mass-producible graphene-sealed well-type liquid cells with rational designs. The developed liquid cell structure and its formation mechanism depending on hole diameter (d)/spacer thickness (h) ratio are systematically analyzed. Finally, we show its high-resolution imaging and chemical analysis capability for nanoparticles and biomaterial applications. This work will provide an enhanced liquid cell platform for diverse liquid environmental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namgyu Noh
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
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43
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Abstract
As a promising tool over the optical resolution limits, liquid electron microscopy is practically utilized to visualize the structural information on wet biological specimens, such as cells, proteins, and nucleic acids. However, the functionality of biomolecules during their observation is still controversial. Here we show the feasibility of live-cell electron microscopy using graphene veils. We demonstrate that the electron dose resistivity of live bacterial cells increases to 100-fold in graphene veils, and thus they maintain their structures and functions after electron microscopy experiments. Our results provide the guidelines and show possibilities for the electron microscopy imaging of live cells and functional biomolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunmo Koo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 355 Science Road, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyun Seong Dae
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 355 Science Road, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Ki Hahn
- Biomedical Convergence Science & Technology, Industrial Technology Advances, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Min Yuk
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 355 Science Road, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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44
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Wu H, Friedrich H, Patterson JP, Sommerdijk NAJM, de Jonge N. Liquid-Phase Electron Microscopy for Soft Matter Science and Biology. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e2001582. [PMID: 32419161 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202001582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Innovations in liquid-phase electron microscopy (LP-EM) have made it possible to perform experiments at the optimized conditions needed to examine soft matter. The main obstacle is conducting experiments in such a way that electron beam radiation can be used to obtain answers for scientific questions without changing the structure and (bio)chemical processes in the sample due to the influence of the radiation. By overcoming these experimental difficulties at least partially, LP-EM has evolved into a new microscopy method with nanometer spatial resolution and sub-second temporal resolution for analysis of soft matter in materials science and biology. Both experimental design and applications of LP-EM for soft matter materials science and biological research are reviewed, and a perspective of possible future directions is given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanglong Wu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Heiner Friedrich
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Joseph P Patterson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Nico A J M Sommerdijk
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands
| | - Niels de Jonge
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
- Department of Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
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45
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Ren A, Lu D, Wong E, Hauwiller MR, Alivisatos AP, Ren G. Real-time observation of dynamic structure of liquid-vapor interface at nanometer resolution in electron irradiated sodium chloride crystals. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8596. [PMID: 32451405 PMCID: PMC7248077 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65274-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The dynamics and structure of the liquid and vapor interface has remained elusive for decades due to the lack of an effective tool for directly visualization beyond micrometer resolution. Here, we designed a simple liquid-cell for encapsulating the liquid state of sodium for transmission electron microscopic (TEM) observation. The real-time dynamic structure of the liquid-vapor interface was imaged and videoed by TEM on the sample of electron irradiated sodium chloride (NaCl) crystals, a well-studied sample with low melting temperature and quantum super-shells of clusters. The nanometer resolution images exhibit the fine structures of the capillary waves, composed of first-time observed three zones of structures and features, i.e. flexible nanoscale fibers, nanoparticles/clusters, and a low-pressure area that sucks the nanoparticles from the liquid to the interface. Although the phenomenons were observed based on irradiated NaCl crystals, the similarities of the phenomenons to predictions suggest our real-time ovserved dynamic structure might be useful in validating long-debated theoretical models of the liquid-vapor interface, and enhancing our knowledge in understanding the non-equilibrium thermodynamics of the liquid-vapor interface to benefit future engineering designs in microfluidics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Ren
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- The Department of Physics, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - David Lu
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- The Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Edward Wong
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Matthew R Hauwiller
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Materials Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - A Paul Alivisatos
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Materials Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Gang Ren
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
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Narayanan S, Shahbazian-Yassar R, Shokuhfar T. In Situ Visualization of Ferritin Biomineralization via Graphene Liquid Cell-Transmission Electron Microscopy. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:3208-3216. [PMID: 33463263 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ferritin biomineralization is essential to regulate the toxic Fe2+ iron ions in the human body. Unravelling the mechanism of biomineralization in ferritin facilitates our understanding of the causes underlying many iron disorder-related diseases. Until now, no report of in situ visualization of ferritin biomineralization events at nanoscale exists due to the requirement for high-resolution imaging of nanometer-sized ferritin proteins in their hydrated states. Herein, for the first time, we show that the biomineralization processes within individual ferritin proteins can be visualized by means of graphene liquid cell-transmission electron microscopy (GLC-TEM). The increase in the ratio of Fe3+/Fe2+ ions over time monitored via electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) reveals the change in oxidation state of iron oxide phases with time. This study lays a foundation for future investigations on iron regulation mechanisms in healthy and dysfunctional ferritins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surya Narayanan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 851 South Morgan Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Reza Shahbazian-Yassar
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 842 West Taylor Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Tolou Shokuhfar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 851 South Morgan Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
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In Situ
Electron Microscopy of Poly(ethylene glycol) Crystals Grown in Thin Ionic Liquids Films. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20190120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Levin BDA, Haiber D, Liu Q, Crozier PA. An Open-Cell Environmental Transmission Electron Microscopy Technique for In Situ Characterization of Samples in Aqueous Liquid Solutions. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2020; 26:134-138. [PMID: 31948500 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927619015320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The desire to image specimens in liquids has led to the development of open-cell and closed-cell techniques in transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The closed-cell approach is currently more common in TEM and has yielded new insights into a number of biological and materials processes in liquid environments. The open-cell approach, which requires an environmental TEM (ETEM), is technically challenging but may be advantageous in certain circumstances due to fewer restrictions on specimen and detector geometry. Here, we demonstrate a novel approach to open-cell liquid TEM, in which we use salt particles to facilitate the in situ formation of droplets of aqueous solution that envelope specimen particles coloaded with the salt. This is achieved by controlling sample temperature between 1 and 10°C and introducing water vapor to the ETEM chamber above the critical pressure for the formation of liquid water on the salt particles. Our use of in situ hydration enables specimens to be loaded into a microscope in a dry state using standard 3 mm TEM grids, allowing specimens to be prepared using trivial sample preparation techniques. Our future aim will be to combine this technique with an in situ light source to study photocorrosion in aqueous environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnaby D A Levin
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Diane Haiber
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Qianlang Liu
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Peter A Crozier
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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Abstract
Graphene liquid-cell electron microscopy reveals intermediate states of self-assembly—in this example, DNA when single strands form double helices. Molecules are observed for up to minutes at a time without apparent beam damage when electron energy and electron dose are low. Simultaneous in situ single-molecule imaging of conformational adaptations and motion gives more comprehensive understanding of self-assembly successes, failures, and error-producing mechanisms, confirming some earlier predictions and also presenting surprises. Loop intermediates were observed to facilitate error correction. Hybridization events accompany enhanced translational mobility and mechanistically specific persistent rotation. The information obtained goes beyond that from other single-molecule methods. Traditional single-molecule methods do not report whole-molecule kinetic conformations, and their adaptive shape changes during the process of self-assembly. Here, using graphene liquid-cell electron microscopy with electrons of low energy at low dose, we show that this approach resolves the time dependence of conformational adaptations of macromolecules for times up to minutes, the resolution determined by motion blurring, with DNA as the test case. Single-stranded DNA molecules are observed in real time as they hybridize near the solid surface to form double-stranded helices; we contrast molecules the same length but differing in base-pair microstructure (random, blocky, and palindromic hairpin) whose key difference is that random sequences possess only one stable final state, but the others offer metastable intermediate structures. Hybridization is observed to couple with enhanced translational mobility and torsion-induced rotation of the molecule. Prevalent transient loops are observed in error-correction processes. Transient melting and other failed encounters are observed in the competitive binding of multiple single-stranded molecules. Among the intermediate states reported here, some were predicted but not observed previously, and the high incidence of looping and enhanced mobility come as surprises. The error-producing mechanisms, failed encounters, and transient intermediate states would not be easily resolved by traditional single-molecule methods. The methods generalize to visualize motions and interactions of other organic macromolecules.
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50
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Smith JW, Chen Q. Liquid-phase electron microscopy imaging of cellular and biomolecular systems. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:8490-8506. [DOI: 10.1039/d0tb01300e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Liquid-phase electron microscopy, a new method for real-time nanoscopic imaging in liquid, makes it possible to study cells or biomolecules with a singular combination of spatial and temporal resolution. We review the state of the art in biological research in this growing and promising field.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W. Smith
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
- Urbana
- USA
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
- Urbana
- USA
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
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