LiquidCell EM System with Temperature Control for Biological Imaging

描述（由申请人提供）：生物学研究中最具挑战性，但也是最有价值的任务之一是在生理条件下，如37°C水环境下，以高空间分辨率可视化分子机器的结构及其在细胞功能中的相互作用。该提出的LiquidCell EM系统具有精确的温度控制，可以使用透射电子显微镜在真正的自然环境中以超高分辨率直接成像许多动态生物过程。在本提案中，我们将制造具有超薄观察窗的自包含液体电池。37+/-0.1°C的精确温度控制将通过微流体装置制造实现。将进行单个蛋白质成像、蛋白质组装和活细胞功能的测试实验，以优化该系统在生理条件下的体内生物成像。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): One of the most challenging, yet highly rewarding tasks in biological research is to visualize with high spatial resolution the structure of molecula machines and their interactions in cellular function under physiological conditions, such as in 37 ¿C aqueous environment. This proposed LiquidCell EM system with precise temperature control enables direct imaging of many dynamic biological processes in truly native environments with ultra high resolution using transmission electron microscopy. In this proposal, we will fabricate the self-contained liquid cells with ultra-thin viewing windows. Precise temperature control of 37+/-0.1 ¿C will be achieved through microfluidic device fabrication. Test experiments of imaging individual proteins, protein assembly and live cell functions will be performed to optimize the system for in vivo biological imaging under physiological conditions.