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Related Experiment Videos

Towards single atom analysis of biological structures.

R D Leapman1, N W Rizzo

  • 1Bioengineering and Physical Science Program, ORS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. leapman@helix.nih.gov

Ultramicroscopy
|July 2, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Researchers can now map single phosphorus atoms in biological structures using advanced electron microscopy. This technique, utilizing electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), offers high sensitivity for atomic-level biological analysis.

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Area of Science:

  • Analytical Electron Microscopy
  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Mapping individual atoms in biological samples presents a significant challenge in microscopy.
  • Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) offers high sensitivity for detecting elements like phosphorus.
  • Field-emission scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) is a key tool for high-resolution imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the feasibility of mapping single phosphorus atoms in biological structures using STEM-EELS.
  • To correlate macromolecular assembly structures with specific atom counts.
  • To optimize strategies for detecting and mapping low numbers of phosphorus atoms.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized dark-field STEM imaging at low dose, followed by high-dose EELS analysis.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Employed spectrum-imaging with specimen drift correction for accurate atomic mapping.
  • Investigated strategies using DNA plasmids and tobacco mosaic virus as model specimens.

    • Main Results:

    • Demonstrated high sensitivity for detecting phosphorus atoms using STEM-EELS.
    • Confirmed that nanometer-sized probes are essential for single atom detection.
    • Showed that specimens maintain 1-2 nm resolution despite beam-induced degradation at high doses.

    Conclusions:

    • Single atom mapping of phosphorus in biological structures is achievable with STEM-EELS.
    • The technique allows for correlating atomic composition with macromolecular structure.
    • Optimized strategies enable the analysis of small numbers of phosphorus atoms in biological systems.