Researchers have developed a new technique involving a powerful soft X-ray free electron laser to view living mammalian cells with high spatial resolution and a wide field of view. The use of soft X-rays, which provide detailed images at the subcellular level, has been limited in biology due to the damage they cause to living cells. The team used refined Wolter mirrors to capture images of carbon-based structures within living cells for the first time, before the soft X-ray radiation damaged them. This breakthrough allows for a better understanding of the dynamic nature of cellular biology.
The soft X-ray microscope developed by the researchers consists of a soft X-ray free electron laser and highly precise Wolter mirrors. The mirrors are a crucial component of the microscope and were created using advanced technology by lead author Satoru Egawa. The soft X-ray free electron laser emits ultrafast pulses of illumination at the speed of femtoseconds, enabling the capture of images before the structure of the living cell is altered by radiation damage. The Wolter mirrors provide a wide field of view, can withstand powerful laser irradiation, and exhibit no color distortion, making them ideal for observing samples at various wavelengths.
Previously, soft X-ray free electron lasers have been used to study smaller viruses and bacteria, but mammalian cells were too large to be studied this way. However, with the use of Wolter mirrors, the team was able to achieve a wider field of view and use a thicker sample holder that could hold larger cells. The resulting images revealed details about carbon content in the cells that had not been observed through other methods, such as electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. This new information sheds light on vital pathways within living cells.
The researchers were surprised to discover a carbon pathway between the nucleolus and the nuclear membrane within the cells, which had not been observed with visible light microscopes. The ability to capture such details with the soft X-ray microscope opens up new possibilities for studying cellular biology at a more granular level. By incorporating brighter soft X-ray free electron lasers and more precise Wolter mirrors, the team aims to further upgrade the microscope to observe additional biochemical elements and vital reactions within living cells. This could provide valuable insights into the complex processes that occur in cellular biology.
In the future, the team hopes to expand the capabilities of the soft X-ray microscope to better understand the dynamic nature of cellular biology. By utilizing brighter lasers and more precise mirrors, they aim to improve the clarity of the images and reduce noise, allowing for a more detailed examination of biochemical elements within living cells. This advancement could potentially lead to new discoveries and insights into the inner workings of cells at a molecular level. The development of this innovative technique represents a significant step forward in the field of cellular biology, enabling researchers to explore previously unseen structures and pathways within living mammalian cells.