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VIDEO: Subunits B (blue), B-1 (cyan), and B-2 (gray) depicted as ribbon diagrams. Initially bound to B-1, subunit B unflattens, straining contact between subunits until they separate. The resulting loose lateral. view more
Credit: Vilmos Zsolnay, University of Chicago.
Our cells are filled with bones, in a sense. Thin, flexible protein strands called actin filaments help support and move around the bulk of the cells of eukaryotes, which includes all plants and animals. Always on the go, actin filaments constantly grow, shrink, bind with other things, and branch off when cells move.
Supercomputer simulations have helped solve the mystery of how actin filaments polymerize, or chain together. This fundamental research could be applied to treatments to stop cancer spread, develop self-healing materials, and more.
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) is a high-resolution imaging method that supplies information regarding the morphology and structure of specimens. In order to penetrate samples, it utilizes a high energy electron beam and renders images using the transmitted part of the beam.
As highly accelerated electrons have a small wavelength, they can be employed to resolve small features. This capability is critical in nanotechnology, structural biology, and material science studies.
The sample to be imaged must be placed on a special metal grid, which is usually covered with ultra-thin (2-5 nm) polymer or carbon support. It has to undergo a glow discharge process first to ensure the surface support is suitable for use.