• 文献标题:   Using size-selected gold clusters on graphene oxide films to aid cryo-transmission electron tomography alignment
  • 文献类型:   Article
  • 作  者:   ARKILL KP, MANTELL JM, PLANT SR, VERKADE P, PALMER RE
  • 作者关键词:  
  • 出版物名称:   SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
  • ISSN:   2045-2322
  • 通讯作者地址:   Univ Bristol
  • 被引频次:   4
  • DOI:   10.1038/srep09234
  • 出版年:   2015

▎ 摘  要

A three-dimensional reconstruction of a nano-scale aqueous object can be achieved by taking a series of transmission electron micrographs tilted at different angles in vitreous ice: cryo-Transmission Electron Tomography. Presented here is a novel method of fine alignment for the tilt series. Size-selected gold clusters of, similar to 2.7 nm (Au-561 +/- 14), similar to 3.2 nm (Au-923 +/- 22), and, similar to 4.3 nm (Au-2057 (+/- 45)) in diameter were deposited onto separate graphene oxide films overlaying holes on amorphous carbon grids. After plunge freezing and subsequent transfer to cryo-Transmission Electron Tomography, the resulting tomograms have excellent (de-) focus and alignment properties during automatic acquisition. Fine alignment is accurate when the evenly distributed 3.2 nm gold particles are used as fiducial markers, demonstrated with a reconstruction of a tobacco mosaic virus. Using a graphene oxide film means the fiducial markers are not interfering with the ice bound sample and that automated collection is consistent. The use of pre-deposited size-selected clusters means there is no aggregation and a user defined concentration. The size-selected clusters are mono-dispersed and can be produced in a wide size range including 2-5 nm in diameter. The use of size-selected clusters on a graphene oxide films represents a significant technical advance for 3D cryo-electron microscopy.