High-resolution and high-performance CCD camera for transmission electron microscopy

用于透射电子显微镜的高分辨率、高性能 CCD 相机

• 批准号: 406251-2011
• 负责人: Rouiller, Isabelle
• 金额: $ 6.06万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2010-01-01 至 2011-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=472422
• 关键词: resolution; performance; CCD; camera; transmission

I am using techniques of cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) and image analysis to investigate how macromolecular complexes perform specific functions in cells, and in particular, to understand the mechanisms of protein transport across cellular membranes. The ability to examine cellular components like proteins and other biological molecules at nano-scale detail is crucial to understanding how cells operate in health and disease. For my research, I have access to state-of-the-art cryo-scanning-transmission electron microscopes (cryo-S/TEMs) at McGill University; the FEI Tecnai G2 F20 200 kV cryo-S/TEM and the FEI Titan Krios 300 kV cryo-S/TEM acquired through a recent Canada Foundation for Innovation Grant. The investigation of specimens in these microscopes is labour intensive and expensive, therefore, I use the FEI Tecnai 12 120 kV TEM ('T12') to obtain high-resolution images of protein and organelle structures prepared by negative staining and Pt-C replicas. The T12 is, however, equipped with a low-resolution 1 megapixel CCD camera that is insufficient for the imaging of my specimens. The current application is to request funds to equip the T12 with a modern, high-resolution and high-performance 8 megapixel CCD camera that will enable me to record the full information present in the samples in order to determine the 3-D structures of isolated macromolecular assemblies. The new CCD camera will significantly increase the efficiency of data collection and improve training opportunities for highly qualified personnel and researchers.

我正在使用冷冻电子显微镜（cryoEM）和图像分析技术来研究大分子复合物如何在细胞中执行特定功能，特别是了解蛋白质跨细胞膜转运的机制。在纳米尺度上检查蛋白质和其他生物分子等细胞成分的能力对于了解细胞在健康和疾病中的运作至关重要。为了我的研究，我可以使用麦吉尔大学最先进的冷冻扫描透射电子显微镜（cryo-S/TEM）; FEI Tecnai G2 F20 200 kV cryo-S/TEM和FEI Titan Krios 300 kV cryo-S/TEM是通过最近的加拿大创新基金会获得的。在这些显微镜中研究标本是劳动密集型和昂贵的，因此，我使用FEI Tecnai 12 120 kV TEM（'T12'）来获得通过负染色和Pt-C复制品制备的蛋白质和细胞器结构的高分辨率图像。然而，T12配备了一个低分辨率的100万像素CCD相机，不足以对我的标本进行成像。目前的申请是要求资金为T12配备一个现代化的，高分辨率和高性能的800万像素CCD相机，使我能够记录样品中存在的全部信息，以确定孤立的大分子组装的3D结构。新的CCD照相机将大大提高数据收集的效率，并改善高素质人员和研究人员的培训机会。