Abstract
Structural studies on living cells by conventional methods are limited to low resolution because radiation damage kills cells long before the necessary dose for high resolution can be delivered. X-ray free-electron lasers circumvent this problem by outrunning key damage processes with an ultra-short and extremely bright coherent X-ray pulse. Diffraction-before-destruction experiments provide high-resolution data from cells that are alive when the femtosecond X-ray pulse traverses the sample. This paper presents two data sets from micron-sized cyanobacteria obtained at the Linac Coherent Light Source, containing a total of 199,000 diffraction patterns. Utilizing this type of diffraction data will require the development of new analysis methods and algorithms for studying structure and structural variability in large populations of cells and to create abstract models. Such studies will allow us to understand living cells and populations of cells in new ways. New X-ray lasers, like the European XFEL, will produce billions of pulses per day, and could open new areas in structural sciences.
Highlights
Background & SummaryImaging living cells at resolutions higher than the resolution of optical microscopy is challenging
What is known about cells today at high resolution comes from dead cells
The live cells were delivered into the pulse train of the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) in an aerosol at a reduced pressure using methods developed for studies on giant viruses[10]
Summary
Background & SummaryImaging living cells at resolutions higher than the resolution of optical microscopy is challenging. The ability to measure millions of diffraction patterns in a day at X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) offers new avenues for experiments on cells. The live cells were delivered into the pulse train of the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) in an aerosol at a reduced pressure using methods developed for studies on giant viruses[10]. This type of sample injection delivers truly isolated samples into the X-ray beam and gives diffraction patterns with practically no background noise.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
